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RSA (Pre-1994): Groot Constantia 1659 Medal of Honour Presented to State President P.W. Botha for the State's Contribution to the Wine Industry

RSA (Pre-1994): Groot Constantia 1659 Medal of Honour Presented to State President P.W. Botha for the State's Contribution to the Wine IndustryRSA (Pre-1994): Groot Constantia 1659 Medal of Honour Presented to State President P.W. Botha for the State's Contribution to the Wine Industry
Form: Circular. Proof with frosted designs.
By: Pagliari / Cape Mint
Date: 1985
Ref:  Laidlaw: 0448;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
75.3 mmSilver226 gm$230

Edge: Plain. Thickness 5.4 mm. Stamped: "S925" and "STG" with hallmarks from the Cape Mint for 1986 [M]. There is also a catalogue mark in black letters on white paint: "PWB 94/233 A"

Obverse: Adapted view of the cellar building on the Groot Constantia estate. Signed: "PAGLIARI" below right. In large letters below: "KWV". Legend in incuse letters on a matt band above: "WYNOES - HERDENKINGSFUNKSIE (wine harvest - anniversary function)" and below between ornaments: "GROOT CONSTANTIA . 300".

Reverse: A pair of hands holding up a large wine glass. Below: "2 FEB / 1659 - 1985". Legend in incuse letters on a matt band above: "VIR DIE STAAT DE BYDRAE TOT DIE UITBOUING VAN DIE S A WYNBEDRYF (for the state's contribution to the development of the South African wine industry)" and below between stops: "OORHANDIG AAN: DIE STAATSPRESIDENT MNR P W BOTHA, DVD (presented to the State President Mr P W Botha, DVD)".

Notes: Presented in a red case inscribed: "(coat of arms) / THE CAPE MINT / (Pty) Ltd / CAPE TOWN". on the outside of the lid. The inside is lined with white silk similarly inscribed and red velvet recessed to hold the medal.

The Groot Constantia 1659 Medal of Honour has been awarded each year at the wine harvest festival on 2nd February since 1974 in recognition of the recipient's contribution to the South African wine industry. Past recipients include Anton Rupert, Jan Smuts and Nelson Mandela. One award is made annually and each medal is unique.

The significant of the date 1659 comes from diary of the first Cape settler, Jan van Riebeeck, and the entry for 2nd February 1659 where he records that the first wine had been made with Cape grapes on that day.

In 1685 the grounds of Groot Constantia were granted to Simon van der Stel the VOC Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and Jan van Riebeeck's successor. In 1779 a portion of the estate including van der Stel's Cape Dutch-style manor house was sold to the Cloete family. Extensive vineyards were planted and the estate became famous for its production of the Constantia dessert wine. The wine cellar depicted on the obverse of this medal, with its magnificent pediment gable by the sculptor Anton Anreith, was added in 1791.

KWV (Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging or Co-operative Winemakers' Society) was founded as a winemaking co-operative in 1918 by wine makers from the Western Cape and had become one of the leading wine and spirits producers in South Africa.

Pieter Willem Botha (1916-2006) served as the last Prime Minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989.