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SA Union: Ford Motor Company Golden Jubilee

SA Union: Ford Motor Company Golden JubileeSA Union: Ford Motor Company Golden Jubilee
SA Union: Ford Motor Company Golden JubileeSA Union: Ford Motor Company Golden Jubilee
Form: Circular with attached loop
By: ?
Date: 1953
Ref:  AM2: 333; Laidlaw: 0785;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
32.0 mm9ct Gold15.3 gm$340
31.8 mmGilded Bronze14.0 gm$35

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Between vertical lines flanked by ornaments: “1923 / (ornament) / 1953”. Legend on a band: “FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF SOUTH AFRICA” with a stop at the foot.

Reverse: Within a border of small stars, across: “50 (large) / YEARS FORWARD / WITH / FORD (large bold) / 1903 – 1953 (in an arc)”. Gold medal stamped: "9CT" at the foot.

Notes: The Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in Detroit and incorporated on 16 June 1903.

Ford’s ties to South Africa date back to 1909 when Model T automobiles were imported into the country. In 1923, Ford South Africa was established by Ford of Canada. A vacant warehouse in Port Elizabeth was rented and remodeled for assembly purposes. Ford built an assembly plant in Port Elizabeth in 1930. In 1987, Ford divested its holdings in South Africa as a result of anti-apartheid legislation passed in the United States. Ford of South Africa was sold to Anglo-American Corporation which then formed the South African Motor Corporation (SAMCOR). In 1994 Ford re-entered the South African market by purchasing a 45% share of SAMCOR. In 2000 the Ford Motor Company increased its investment in South Africa by taking a majority shareholding of 90% in SAMCOR. On August 21, 2000 the SA Motor Corporation (SAMCOR) was officially renamed the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. Early in 2001, Ford acquired full ownership of the company.