SA Union: Vow Reaffirmation: Andries Pretorius Geloftekerkie
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Form:
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Circular with and without attached pierced lug.
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By:
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Willie Myburg / S.A. Mint |
Date:
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1955 |
Ref:
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AM2: 340; Laidlaw: 0065;
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Variations:
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Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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32.3 mm | Silver | 16.0 gm | $25 | 32 mm | Silver w/ loop | 15.0 gm | $20 | 32.2 mm | Bronze | 14.7 gm | $17 | 32 mm | Bronze w/ loop | 14.2 gm | $12 |
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Edge:
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Plain
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Obverse:
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Bust of Andries Pretorius wearing a top hat, front. Signed: “W.M.” on right of truncation. Legend: “HERBEVESTIGING VAN DIE GELOFTE (in commemoration of the vow)”.
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Reverse:
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A view of the Church of the Vow in Pietermaritzburg. Across below: “GELOFTEKERKIE”. Below that on the silver medals are the silver SA Mint marks.
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Notes:
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Andries Pretorius was a Voortrekker leader who defeated Chief Dingaan’s Zulu impi regiments at the Battle of Blood River in 1838. Before the battle the Voortrekkers had made a Vow to God that if they managed to defeat the Zulu army they would erect a church in His honour.
The small church on Church Street in Pietermaritzburg was built by the Voortrekkers in 1840 in fulfillment of this Vow. The Church now forms part of the Voortrekker Museum.
This medal was commissioned by Volkskas Bank to mark the festival of 13th to 18th December 1955 held in Pietermaritzburg to reaffirm the Vow.
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