Rhodesia: Tenth Anniversary of Independence

Form:

Decagon (10-sides)

By:

Trevor Wood / Matthews Manufacturing Co.

Date:

1975

Ref:

Laidlaw: 0894;

Variations:

Size	Metal	Mass	Value
Height 52.0 mm, Width 49.7 mm	Pure Silver	62.7 gm	$65
Height 51.8 mm, Width 49.6 mm	Gilded Bronze	54.2 gm	$25

Edge:

Plain. Stamped with issue number. This silver medal 1495. This bronze medal: "2228".

Obverse:

Three vertical panels divided by an arched band: RHODESIAN INDEPENDENCE". In the upper part of the left panel, head of Sir Charles Coghlan on a leafy background. In the upper part of the middle panel, head of Cecil Rhodes above Zimbabwe Bird, In the upper part of the right panel, head of Ian Smith on a leafy background. In the lower parts of the left and right panels, leafy sprigs. On the lower part of the central panel, the lion crest from the coat of arms of the British South Africa Company, signed: "TW" below. Legend: "SIR CHARLES COGHLAN . CECIL JOHN RHODES . IAN DOUGLAS SMITH".

Reverse:

Dividing the date: "1975", coat of arms of Rhodesia with antelope supporters, Zimbabwe Bird crest and motto: "SIT NOMINE DIGNA". Signed: M.M.CO." below. Ten panels bordering along each of the edges containing leafy sprigs. Between the panels, from the top clockwise: "1965", "1966", "1967", "1968", "1969", "1970", "1971", "1972", "1973" and "1974".

Notes:

Comes in a cardboard frame labeled: "I believe that we are a courageous people and history has cast us in a heroic role" with a facsimile of Ian Smith's signature below. This is mounted inside an oblong transparent plastic holder and presented in a cardboard box with a certificate which states that 1,5000 silver medals and 3,500 bronze medals were issued.

Sir Charles Coghlan (1863 - 1927) was the first prime minister of Southern Rhodesia and held office from 1923 until his death.