Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

International Amateur Athletic Federation, a bronze award plaque by Sporrong & Co, named (R.O. Stirling, G. Craig, P.B. Lowe, S. Carey (G.B. & N.I.), Worlds Record Holder, 4 x 800m Relay, 8:25.0, 5-9-1970, Crystal Palace), 100 x 70mm; together with other miscellaneous sporting medals (15, one in silver) [16]. Very fine £70-£90

Provenance: R.G.P. Kerridge Collection.

First only illustrated. Rosemary Olivia Wright, née Stirling (b. Timaru, NZ, 1947, later living in Wolverhampton), Patricia Barbara Lowe, later Lowe-Cropper, MBE (b. Leicester, 1943), Georgena Craig, née Buchanan (b. Maryhill, 1942) and Sheila Janet Carey, née Taylor, MBE (b. Coventry, 1946) set a new world record for the Women’s 4 x 800m relay at the Coca-Cola International Invitation Meeting held at Crystal Palace on 5 September 1970, their 8:25.0 beating the previous record, set in Edinburgh three months earlier, by 2 seconds. Controversy surrounded the race because the West German 4 x 800m relay squad broke the tape in 8:22.6 but were disqualified for passing the baton on the first leg take-over out of the legal area. Stirling won the Women’s 800m at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and placed 7th in the Women’s 800m at the 1972 Olympic Games; Patricia Lowe placed sixth in the Women’s 800m at the 1968 Olympic Games; Sheila Carey won the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association 800m title in 1970 and placed fifth in the Women’s 1500m at the 1972 Olympic Games