SA Union: Royal Visit of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, Presented to Europeans / Royal Cypher & Map |
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| Form: | Circular | ||||||||
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| By: | Percy Metcalfe / Royal Mint, Pretoria | ||||||||
| Date: | 1947 | ||||||||
| Ref: |
AM2: 286; Laidlaw: 0099c; |
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| Variations: |
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| Edge: |
Plain. |
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| Obverse: |
Conjoined crowned and robed busts of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, left. Signed: “P.M.” on King’s shoulder close to the rim. |
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| Reverse: |
In front of a map of Southern Africa, the Royal cypher: “GRE” with imperial crown above. Across: “19 (left) 47 (right)". Legend above: “KONINKLIKE BESOEK”; and below: “ROYAL VISIT”. |
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| Notes: |
Comes inside a red leather case lined with white silk, stamped with the coat of arms of the Royal Mint, and dark blue velvet. The King and Queen and their two daughters, the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret toured Southern Africa in 1947. The purpose of the visit was to show Royal appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices that South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and other Commonwealth countries had made during the Second World War. This medal was presented for services rendered during the royal tour of Southern Africa. It was given to Europeans in South Africa. A similar medal (Laidlaw 0099a) with a slightly different reverse was produced for issue in the other Southern African colonies. A special issue of this medal mounted in a silver frame (Laidlaw 0099d) was presented to native Chiefs. The obverse design is the same as the 1937 coronation medal (Laidlaw: 0363) but the dies have been re-made with a larger size. |
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