Rhodesia: Rhodesian History Medallion Volume 2: Ian Smith / Declaration of Independence
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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Trevor Wood |
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Date:
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1965 |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 0895b;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 42.2 mm | Pure Silver | 41.0 gm | $45 | | 42.4 mm | Gilded Bronze | 33.9 gm | $20 |
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Edge:
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Plain. Stamped with issue number. This silver medal: 1124. This bronze medal: "01695".
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Obverse:
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Off centre on the right, bare head of Ian Smith, left. Signed: "TW" below. Legend: "THE HON. IAN DOUGLAS SMITH I.D.".
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Reverse:
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Smith, seated, signing the declaration of independence, his cabinet beside and standing behind him. Legend:"PROCLAMATION OF SOVEREIGN INDEPENDENCE" and below: "11.11.1965"
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Notes:
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Comes in a cardboard frame labeled: "RHODESIAN HISTORY / MEDALLION / Volume Two" mounted inside an oblong transparent plastic holder and presented in a cardboard box with a certificate which states that 2,000 silver medals and 2,000 bronze medals were issued.
Rhodesia declared unilateral independence (UDI) from Britain on 11th November 1965. During Second World War Ian Smith was a fighter pilot who fought for Britain (as did many other Rhodesians). The choice of Armistice Day for the UDI symbolised the bitterness of betrayal that many Rhodesians felt towards Britain.
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