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Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South Africa

Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South AfricaGreat Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South Africa
Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South AfricaGreat Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South Africa
Great Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South AfricaGreat Britain: Boer War: Chamberlain Visit to South Africa
Form: Circular. High relief.
By: J.A. Restall, Birmingham
Date: 1903
Ref:  Hern: 570; Laidlaw: 0231;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
39 mmSilver$380
39.1 mmBronze31.5gm$90
39.2 mmGilded Bronze27.5 gm$90

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Raised reeded rim. Bust of Chamberlain in jacket wearing monocle, right. Signed: “J.A. RESTALL” on the truncation. Legend: “JOSEPH (left) CHAMBERLAIN (right)”.

Reverse: Raised reeded rim. Oval shield inscribed: “TO / COMMEMORATE (in an arc) / THE VISIT /OF THE RT HON. (in an arc) / JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN (in an arc on ribbon) / TO / SOUTH (in an arc) / AFRICA”. On a continuation of the ribbon to the left: “DEC.20.1902” and to the right: “FEB.25.1903”. Above the shied, a laurel wreath around clasped hands and below the coat of arms of the Cape of Good Hope with motto: “SPIES BONA” ornamented by a flower on each side. Standing on a small plinth to the left of the shield, Britannia and the British Lion, and to the right, Justice with the coat of arms of Great Britain on a shield. Silver medal stamped: "J.A.R" on left plinth and the Birmingham sterling sliver hallmarks for 1902-3 (c) on right plinth.

Notes: Gilded medal inside a dark blue case lined with dark blue velvet and white silk. On the inside of the lid in gilt, a rectangle around: "J.A. RESTALL / JEWELLER / SILVERSMITH & MEDALLIST / 82.CAMBRIDGE ST. / BIRMINGHAM".

Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) was a British industrialist turned politician. He was the Secretary of State for the Colonies between 1895 and 1903. After the conclusion of the Boer War, Chamberlain visited South Africa between December 1902 and February 1903. He traveled widely throughout the country with the aim of seeking reconciliation and fostering unity in South Africa within the British Empire.