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France: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles Plaque
France: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles PlaqueFrance: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles Plaque
France: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles PlaqueFrance: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles Plaque
France: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles PlaqueFrance: Boer War: President Kruger Arrival in Marseilles Plaque
Form: Rectangular – slightly skewed. Uniface.
By: Svante Nilssen / Janirez of Paris
Date: 1900
Ref:  AM: 138; Hern: 310; ME: France 14; Laidlaw: 0045;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
39.8 mm x 50.2 mmSilver44.0 gm$2,700
40.0 mm x 50.3 mmSilver Plated Bronze26.7 gm$950
40 mm x 50 mmBronze39.6 gm$860
Edge: Plain. The silver medal has the boar’s head mark of the Paris Assay Office on the left edge.

Obverse: Within an oval, the bust of Paul Kruger facing front and slightly to the left. To the right, a half-wreath of oak and acorns. To the left across above: “PRESIDENT / KRÜGER”, and below in incuse letters: “EENDRAGT / MAAKT MAGT (unity makes strength - the Z.A. Republic motto)”. Signed: “S. NILSSON” in an arc following the lower left rim of the oval. At the foot on the right: “DÉPOSÉ (registered)".

Reverse: Blank

Notes: President Kruger arrived in Europe from Africa on the Dutch warship De Gelderland. His party disembarked at Marseilles on 22nd November 1900 to an enthusiastic welcome from the French people. This plaque commemorates the occasion.

The silver plaques are rare with only four known to have been made. One of these was presented to President Kruger sometime later in Dijon. The silver medal shown here was purchased for $2,700 in June 2010 in Holland.

In addition, there were 200 silver plated plaques and 800 in bronze for sale to the general public.

On French silver jewelry, the most often-seen mark is the boar’s head, the mark of the Paris Assay Office, indicating a fineness of 800. This mark was in use from 1838 to 1961.