Rhodesia: Royal Visit of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, Presented to Europeans / Royal Cypher |
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| Form: | Circular | ||||||||
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| By: | Percy Metcalfe / Royal Mint, London | ||||||||
| Date: | 1947 | ||||||||
| Ref: |
AM2: 285; Laidlaw: 0099a; |
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| Variations: |
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| Edge: |
Plain. |
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| Obverse: |
Conjoined crowned and robed busts of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, left. Signed: “P.M.” on King’s shoulder close to the rim. |
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| Reverse: |
The Royal cipher: “GRE” with imperial crown above. Legend above: “ROYAL VISIT”, and below: “1947”. |
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| Notes: |
Comes in a cardboard box with red lid and white base lined with blue felt. On the outside of the lid: "Supplied by / The Birmingham Medal / and Badge Co., Ltd., / 29/30, ALBION STREET, / BIRMINGHAM, 1. / Phone: CENtral 1652." The King and Queen and their two daughters, the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret toured Southern Africa in 1947. The purpose of the visit was to show Royal appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices that South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and other Commonwealth countries had made during the Second World War. This medal was presented for services rendered during the royal tour of Southern Africa. It was given to Europeans in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Bechuanaland (Botswana), Basutoland (Lesotho) and Nyasaland (Malawi). A similar medal (Laidlaw 0099c) with a slightly different reverse was produced for issue in South Africa. A special issue of this medal mounted in a silver frame (Laidlaw 0099b) was presented to native Chiefs. The obverse design is the same as the 1937 coronation medal (Laidlaw: 0363) but the dies have been re-made with a larger size. |
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