The Australian Island Territory of Tasmania officially formed its police force in 1899 after the 1898 Police Regulation Act merged all the small forces that existed in the territory prior to 1898. 
This is a rare button to find for collectors because lasting only 2 years until the Edwardian Kings Crown button came into force. The button is in good uncleaned age related condition, no makers mark as has a plain brass backing to the gilded bronze facia & the shank is complete.....Nige