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Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”

Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”
Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”
Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”Netherlands: Boer War: Paul Kruger / “Nil Desperandum”
Form: Octagonal with and without attached loop for suspension
By: J.C. Wienecke, Holland. Minted by V. Janvier, Paris.
Date: 1902
Ref:  AM: 118; Hern: 266; ME: Netherlands 12; Laidlaw: 0057;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
30 mmGold
30.0 mmSilver (no loop)13.2 gm$400
30.0 mmBronze (with loop)13.1 gm$175
20 mmSilver$100

Edge: Plain

Obverse: Bust of an elderly Paul Kruger, left. In widely-spaced lettering, the legend: “PAUL – KRUGER”. Signed: “JCW” in an incused monogram near the lower left edge.

Reverse: In the centre, a shield with the incused date: “31/ 1902 /5” with a winged hour-glass above from which emanate streaks of lightening. Behind and partly showing through, an anchor surmounted by a hat crossed with a rifle and a spade. Surrounded by sprigs of laurel (left) and oak (right) and rays extending to the rim. In widely-spaced lettering, the legend: “NIL - DESPERANDUM”. Signed: “J. C. Wienecke” in incused lettering at the foot.

Notes: The medal was issued to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31st May 1902 which ended the Boer War. It was commissioned by the firm of C. Fortmann (The Hague and Amsterdam) and the proceeds donated to the fund for Boer women and orphans. It is reported the Kruger sat for Wienecke. The same portrait of Kruger was used on the Volksstem medal for Kruger’s funeral.