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Netherlands: Boer War: Kruger Departure into Exile / Arrival in Europe
Netherlands: Boer War: Kruger Departure into Exile / Arrival in EuropeNetherlands: Boer War: Kruger Departure into Exile / Arrival in Europe
Netherlands: Boer War: Kruger Departure into Exile / Arrival in EuropeNetherlands: Boer War: Kruger Departure into Exile / Arrival in Europe
Form: Cuircular
By: Van Kempen, Begeer en Vos
Date: 1925
Ref:  Laidlaw: 1089;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
38 mmBronze30 gm$360
39.7 mmYellow-Bronze (reproduction)24.2 gm$20
Edge: Plain. Reproduction has upright reeded edge.

Obverse: Port broadside view of cruiser at sea steaming to left. Signed: "ELG" beside stern. On the sea in wavy lines: "Hr. Ms. PANTSERDEKSCHIP / GELDERLAND (in quotes)". Above across: "20 Oct 1900". Legend: "COMMEMORATING KRUGER'S DEPARTURE INTO EXILE". Signed at the foot: "VAN KEMPSEN'S".

Reverse: Bareheaded bust of Kruger in jacket, left. Legend above: "COMMEMORATING KRUGER'S ARRIVAL IN EUROPE INTO EXILE" and below: "23 Nov 1900".

Notes: This medal was probably made in 1925 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Kruger's birth. It is unlikely that it was made in 1900. JM van Kempen & Zonen, Royal Dutch silversmiths and goldsmiths, did make a large silver medal with the same image of HNLMS Gelderland for presentation to Kruger on his visit to The Hague (Hern No. 358). The company merged with Begeer in 1919.

HNLMS Gelderland (Dutch: Hr.Ms. Gelderland) was a Holland-class cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ship was built in Rotterdam, launched on 28 September 1898 and commissioned on 15 July 1900.

President Kruger went into exile in September 1900, first travelling by rail down to Lorenzo Marques where he stayed until 19th October. He then boarded the Dutch cruiser, Gelderland, which had been sent by the government of the young Queen Wilhelmina to provide him with a safe passage to Europe. He landed in Marseilles, France, on 23rd November 1900. For the remainder of his life he lived in Utrecht, Netherlands, under the protection of the Queen.

The reproduction (second image) was probably made by the Gold Reef City Mint in 2000 for the 100th anniversary of Kruger's voyage into exile