RSA (Pre-1994): Zulu War Centenary Set of Eight Medals

Form:

Circular. Proof with frosted designs.

By:

Pagliari / Cape Mint.

Date:

1979

Ref:

Laidlaw: 0848;

Variations:

Size	Metal	Mass	Value
35.1 mm	Silver	24.1 gm	$160 (set)

Edge:

Plain. Stamped with the Cape Mint sterling silver hallmark

Obverse:

British Union flag on standard and rifle crossed with Zulu shield and spear. On a scroll below in incused letters: “1879 ZULU WAR CENTENARY 1979”. In an arc above, the title of each medal:
(1) “BATTLE OF ISANDHLWANA”
(2) “RELIEF OF RORKE’S DRIFT”
(3) “ESCAPE ACROSS THE BUFFALO”
(4) “DEATH OF A ZULU”
(5) “SAVING THE COLOUR”
(6) “END OF A DYNASTY”
(7) “BATTLE OF ULUNDI”
(8) “CAPTURE OF CETEWAYO”

Reverse:

Pictorial representation of the event. Signed: “PAGLIARI” below.

Notes:

The set comes inside a blue presentation case with two rows of four medals. On the outside of the lid in gold lettering: “ZULU WAR / CENTENARY / MEDALLION ISSUE / 1879-1979”. On the inside of the lid in silver lettering: “SOUTH AFRICAN / HISTORICAL MINT”. The medals protected inside plastic capsules. There is a numbered certificate from the SA Historical Mint which states that the mintage was 2,000 sets.

The medal: “END OF A DYNASTY” refers to the death of the Prince Imperial of France.