RSA (Pre-1994): Transvaal Leader Ben Schoeman / 20 Years of National Party Rule
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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Bickles, Johannesburg (?) |
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Date:
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1968 |
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Ref:
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AM2: 394; Laidlaw: 0440;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 38.0 mm | Silver | 27.1 gm | $35 | | 38.1 mm | Yellow Bronze | 23.1 gm | $12 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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Bareheaded bust of Bust of Schoeman in jacket and tie, front. Legend on a raised band above: “DIE TRANSVAALSE LEIER” and below between stops: “MNR. BEN SCHOEMAN”
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Reverse:
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A powder horn (the National Party symbol) within a laurel wreath. Legend above: “DIE NASIONALE PARTY VAN SUID-AFRIKA” and below between stops: “1948-1968”. The silver medal is stamped: “SILVER” below the powder horn.
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Notes:
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Barend Johannes "Ben" Schoeman was a senior member of the National Party. In 1940 he became the head of the National Party in the Witwatersrand. He served as the Minister of Labour from 1948 to 1954, the Minister of Transport from 1954 until 1974 and was a member of the party's Executive Committee. After the assassination of Prime Minister Henrik Verwoerd in September 1966, Schoeman was widely considered to be the favourite for the leadership of both the National Party and the country. However, the day before the election, he withdrew from the race, granting victory to the only other candidate; John Vorster.
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