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SA Union: van Riebeeck Tercentenary: 2nd in Set of 3

SA Union: van Riebeeck Tercentenary: 2nd in Set of 3SA Union: van Riebeeck Tercentenary: 2nd in Set of 3
Form: Circular
By: D.F. MacGregor / S.A. Mint
Date: 1952
Ref:  AM2: 302; Laidlaw: 0072b;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
32.1 mmSilver17.1 gm$40

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Bareheaded bust of van Riebeeck, half right, crossed standards behind with V.O.C. flag (left) and South African flag (right) superimposed on a map of the Cape. Dutch Lion of Nassau above. Signed: “D.F.McG.” to the lower right.

Reverse: Across: “JAN / VAN RIEBEECK / DRIEHONDERD / JARIGE / GEDENKDAG / (ornamental line) / TERCENTENARY / (ornamental line) / 6 APRIL / 1952”. Stamped: "(lion head) STG e (for 1952) S.A.M".

Notes: Comes together with the gold and bronze medals in an oblong blue case from the South African Mint. Also comes with the bronze medal only in a shorter blue case.

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.