Zimbabwe Rhodesia: Prime Minister Bishop Muzorewa

Form:

Circular

By:

Trevor Wood / Livingstone Mint

Date:

1979

Ref:

Laidlaw: 1050;

Variations:

Size	Metal	Mass	Value
40.1 mm	Fine Silver	40.4 gm	$45
40.1 mm	Gilded Bronze	35.2 gm	$18

Edge:

Plain. Stamped with issue number. This silver medal: "149". This bronze medal: "1508".

Obverse:

Bareheaded bust of Muzorewa in clerical collar wearing spectacles, front. Signed: "TW" bottom left. Legend: "BISHOP THE HON. A.T. MUZORAWA".

Reverse:

Coat of arms of Zimbabwe Rhodesia (the same as the arms for Rhodesia) with motto: "SIT NOMINE DIGNA". Monogram: "LM" below right. Legend above: "FIRST PRIME MINISTER" and below between stops: "ZIMBABWE RHODESIA".

Notes:

Comes encapsulated inside a fitted blue case from the Livingstone Mint. There is also a certificate stating that 1,500 medals (numbered 1 to 1500) were made of fine silver and 2,500 medals (numbered 1501 to 4000) were made of bronze.

Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa (1925-2010) served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia during the country's brief existence from June to December 1979. The country had been created by an internal settlement between the white people of Rhodesia, under Ian Smith, and the black people, lead by moderates. After fifteen years of civil war, the object was to replace white minority rule by majority rule by democratic elections. Unfortunately, the black rebel leaders and their followers did not participate and, in order to appease them, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia was dissolved at the Lancaster House Agreement, held in Britain, on 11 December 1979.