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RSA (Post-1994): Visit by Queen Elizabeth II to South Africa

RSA (Post-1994): Visit by Queen Elizabeth II to South AfricaRSA (Post-1994): Visit by Queen Elizabeth II to South Africa
RSA (Post-1994): Visit by Queen Elizabeth II to South AfricaRSA (Post-1994): Visit by Queen Elizabeth II to South Africa
Form: Circular. Frosted proof.
By: Mary Gillick (Obv) / SA Mint
Date: 1995
Ref:  Laidlaw: 0159b;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
38.7 mmSilver33.8 gm$30
38.1 mmCopper-Nickel22.3 gm$10

Edge: Upright reeded.

Obverse: Bust of Queen Elizabeth, right. Signed: "MG" on the truncation. Legend: “ELIZABETH II REGINA”

Reverse: Crowned monogram: “EIIR” with floral arrangement on each side. Legend above: “QUEEN ELIZABETH II ROYAL VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA” and below: “1947-1995”

Notes: The size of the medal and the obverse design by Mary Gillick of the Royal Mint (London) are identical to the Union of South Africa silver 5 shilling coin which circulated between 1953 and 1959.

The silver medal comes in a blue case from the SA Mint.

South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth after the democratic elections in 1994. As Head of the Commonwealth, the visit of the Queen formalised the re-admission. South Africa remained a republic with Nelson Mandela, and not the Queen, as its Head of State. Her previous visit to South Africa had been in 1947 as Princess Elizabeth with her father King George VI and other members of the Royal family.