Transvaal: President Kruger Memorial
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Form:
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Circular. Pierced at 12 o’clock.
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By:
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J. Hall & Co., Johannesburg (?) |
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Date:
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1904 |
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Ref:
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AM: 169 (Similar); Hern: 382 (Similar); ME: South African Republic 8 (Similar); Laidlaw: 0183b;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 32.8 mm | Silver | 15.1 gm | $100 |
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Edge:
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Upright reeded
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Obverse:
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Bust of Paul Kruger, left (similar to ZAR coinage). Legend: “PRESIDENT (left) KRUGER (right)”. Unsigned.
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Reverse:
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In an arc above: “IN MEMORIAM”. Across with ornaments above, below, left and right: “STAATS / PRESIDENT / GEBOREN / OCT: 10TH 1825. / GESTORVEN”. In an arc below: “JULY 15TH 1904."
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Notes:
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The design of this medal is the same as the white metal medal, Laidlaw 0183a. However, both the obverse and reverse dies are not the same. Apart from the larger diameter, metal and mass, the edge of this medal is upright reeded; whereas the edge of the other medal is plain. Possibly this was a trial strike.
Paul Kruger died in Clarens, Switzerland, on 14th July 1904 (the inscription on the medal records the date incorrectly). His body was transported to Holland where he was buried on 26th July at Eik en Duinen, close to The Hague.
Kruger’s body remained in Holland for four month before being transported back to South Africa aboard the ship S.S. Batavier IV. He was finally laid to rest next to his wife in the Pretoria Cemetery on 16th December 1904, Dingaan's Day.
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