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SA Union: van Riebeeck Tercentenary: 1st in Set of 3

SA Union: van Riebeeck Tercentenary: 1st in Set of 3SA Union: van Riebeeck Tercentenary: 1st in Set of 3
Form: Circular
By: E. Naylor / S.A. Mint
Date: 1952
Ref:  AM2: 301; Laidlaw: 0072a;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
32.2 mm15ct Gold18.8 gm$410

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Full figure of van Riebeeck, standing front, in coat and hat holding flag standard in his right hand and a stick in his left. Dutch flag flying behind. Table Mountain in the background. Signed: “E.N.” to the right.

Reverse: Text across: “JAN / VAN RIEBEECK / DRIEHONDERD / JARIGE / GEDENKDAG / (ornamental line) / TERCENTENARY / (ornamental line) / 6 APRIL / 1952”. Stamped: "(springbok head) 15CT e (for 1952) S.A.M".

Notes: Comes together with the silver and bronze medals in an oblong blue case from the South African Mint.

Jan van Riebeeck was tasked by the Dutch East India Company with the establishment of a refreshment station for ships on passage between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies. He arrived at the Cape of Good Hope aboard the Drommedaris (depicted bottom right on the bronze medal) in 1652 and thus became the first white South African settler.