SA Union: 250th Anniversary of Huguenot Settlement in the Cape
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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G. Moerdyk / Royal Mint, Pretoria |
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Date:
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1939 |
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Ref:
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AM2: 266; Laidlaw: 0402;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 50.5 mm | Silver | 62.6 gm | $120 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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View of the gable over the main door of the Oude Pastorie (now the Paarl Museum) in Paarl. Superimposed are three fleur-de-lis. Below: “HUGENOTE PASTORIE” and below that, ornamental line. Around above: “250 JAAR ~ HUGENOTE ~ GEDENKFEES” and below: “~ 1689 (ornamented fleur-de-lis) 1939 ~”. Signed: “GM” on right. Stamped at the foot, sterling silver hallmarks: "925 RMP".
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Reverse:
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A three-masted ship and small boats in Table Bay and, on the shore, buildings of the Cape settlement. In the background, Table Mountain with radiant rays above. Around and above: “CABO DE BONA SPERANCA”.
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Notes:
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There was a large exodus of Protestant Huguenots from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. The main stream of those who came to the Cape arrived during 1688 – 1689. Although, in terms of the total number of protestants who left France, only a small fraction (a few hundred) came to the Cape. They comprised approximately one sixth of the free burgher population at the time. Many were skilled artisans and farmers, and so had a major influence on the subsequent development of the country.
AM2 records that only 50 medals were struck.
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