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Canada: Boer War: Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa Pendant
Canada: Boer War: Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa PendantCanada: Boer War: Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa Pendant
Canada: Boer War: Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa PendantCanada: Boer War: Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa Pendant
Form: Pendant in the shape of a maple leaf with attached loop for a link ring to a suspension brooch which is slightly arched and inscribed: “IN HONOR / OF OUR”.
By: A.J. Allen
Date: 1900
Ref:  Laidlaw: 0040;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
35.6 mm x 27.1 mm without barGilded bronze with enamel4.0 gm $300
45 mm x 27.1 mm with barGilded bronze with enamel6.4 gm$425
Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Crown with white enamel backing at the top. Red enamelled flags left and right with the British Union flag in the top quadrant highlighted in blue enamel. Left flag marked: “ENGLAND” and right flag marked: “CANADA” with a beaver in a wreath. Text across: “ABSENT MINDED / BEGGARS / IN / SOUTH / AFRICA”.

Reverse: Bank

Notes: The medal is described in a contemporary Canadian newspaper as follows:

“[This] is a beautiful hard enamel Medal designed by Mr A.J. Allen of this city, and should be highly complimented. On the medal pin are the words ‘In Honor of our’ below this is a Gilt Crown, attached to the crown is a half round panel with a maple leaf attached with the words thereon ‘Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa’ making the whole to read ‘In Honor of our Absent Minded Beggars in South Africa’. In the center of the Maple Leaf are two flags, crossed, beautifully done in hard enamel, in three different colors, and the wording on each flag, ENGLAND and CANADA. It has to be seen to be appreciated, and every loyal subject in Canada should wear one, as it is the only real souvenir, that has yet come out in honor of our Canadian boys at the front.”