Date
Instituted: 1900.
Campaign: Boer War 1899-1902
Description: The obverse of this medal has the crowned bust of Queen Victoria with the inscription 'VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX'. There are three reverses for this medal with minor differences (see images below). All have the figure of Britannia facing right with her right hand stretched out holding a wreath. Behind her is a shield bearing the Union Flag and in the background can be seen both the ships of the Royal Navy and soldiers marching to battle while above are the words 'SOUTH AFRICA'. The first version had the dates 1899-1900 on the reverse above Britannia's arm with the wreath in her hand pointing to the 'R' of 'AFRICA'. This is because originally it was thought the war was over in 1900 and so the dates 1899-1900 where cut as part of the die. It was soon realised that the war was to drag on so the dates were erased from the dies but very faint 'ghost' dates of 1899-1900 could be seen on the medals struck for the second version. The reverse was later completely re-cut for the third version with the dates omitted with the wreath now pointing to the 'F' of 'AFRICA' since Britannia's arm had been slightly elevated to help fill the gap made from the removal of the dates. The suspender is straight and attached to the medal via a claw mount.
Clasps: 'CAPE COLONY', 'BELMONT', 'WEPENER', 'NATAL', 'MODDER RIVER', 'DEFENCE OF MAFEKING', 'RHODESIA', TUGELA HEIGHTS', 'TRANSVAAL', 'RELIEF OF MAFEKING', 'RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY', 'JOHANNESBURG', DEFENCE OF KIMBERLEY', PAARDEBERG', 'LAING'S NEK', 'TALANA', 'ORANGE FREE STATE', 'DIAMOND HILL', 'ELANDSLAAGTE', RELIEF OF LADYSMITH', 'WITTENBERGEN', 'DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH', 'DREIFONTEIN', 'BELFAST', 'SOUTH AFRICA 1901' and 'SOUTH AFRICA 1902'.
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Naming: Various types of naming are used for this widely issued medal including both engraved and impressed.
Comments: Medals bearing the dates '1899-1900' were issued to members of Strathcona's Horse and are very rare demanding high prices. Those with 'ghost' dates of the second version are not worth anymore than those of the third version (without any trace of the dates) yet some private sellers have made a point about ghost dates on these medals in an attempt to raise the price. Also the clasp 'DEFENCE OF MAFEKING' is very rare and highly sought after and any examples encountered should be confirmed to a medal roll before purchase as many fake ones exist. The clasp 'WEPENER' is also rare and 'RHODESIA' is scarce so command higher prices.
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1st Type Reverse: Britannia's arm points to the 'R' of Africa and has the dates 1899 - 1900 clearly visible. |
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2nd Type Reverse: Britannia's arm points to the 'R' of Africa and has the faint 'ghost' dates 1899 - 1900. |
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3rd Type Reverse: Britannia's arm points to the 'F' of Africa and has no dates. |
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| Images courtesy of David Biggins:
http://www.angloboerwar.com |
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