Portugal: Tribute to Dr Christiaan Barnard for World's First Heart Transplant

Form:

Circular

By:

Manuel da Silva Nogueira

Date:

1968

Ref:

Laidlaw: 0491;

Variations:

Size	Metal	Mass	Value
79.9 mm	Yellow Bronze	260 gm	$60
79.8 mm	Darkened Bronze	252 gm	$30

Edge:

Plain.

Obverse:

Head of Dr Barnard in high relief, front and turned slightly to the left. Facsimile signature: "M Nogueira" below. Legend: “AO DOUTOR BARNARD E A SUA EQUIPA” (to Doctor Barnard and his team).

Reverse:

Stylised design of open hand (left), heat (middle) and branch with leaves (right). Below" "1968".

Notes:

Comes inside a red cardboard box.

The world's first human heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard on December 3, 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The recipient was Mr Louis Washkansky and he lived for 18 days following the operation.