SA Union: Formation of the Union of South Africa
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Form:
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Circular. Silver and silvered medals have attached loop. White metal medal is holed for a ring through which passes a second ring for suspension from a blue ribbon with a pressed metal suspension bar at the top showing a leaping springbok on a shield.
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By:
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? |
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Date:
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1910 |
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Ref:
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AM2: 117; Laidlaw: 0086a;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 32.2 mm | Silver (Large Crown) | 14.4 gm | $150 | | 32.2 mm | Silvered Metal (Small Crown) | 12.8 gm | $25 | | 32.1 mm | Bronze (Large Crown) | 17.2 gm | $40 | | 32.2 mm | White Metal (Small Crown) | 8.1 gm | $10 |
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Edge:
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Plain
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Obverse:
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Winged Mercury over the sea, holding a wreath in his right hand while his left arm cradles a cornucopia spreading bounty over the shoreline of South Africa at the foot. Behind, a radiant sun and, to the left, a sailing ship. Legend: “TO COMMEMORATE THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 31ST MAY 1910”.
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Reverse:
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Crown surrounded by four circular cameos containing the coats of arms of the territories comprising the union, each identified by a ribbon: “CAPE COLONY”, “NATAL”, “ORANGE FREE STATE”, and “TRANSVAAL”. Across, and divided by the arms of the Cape Colony: “31 MAI (left) 1910 (right)”. Legend, separated from the design by a circle of rope tied at the foot: “TER HERDENKING VAN DE VEREENIGING VAN ZUID AFRIKA”
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Notes:
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Minor variations in the design occur and the medal has been struck from different pairs of dies. The ‘large crown’ variety on the silver and bronze medal and ‘small crown’ variety on the other two.
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