Детали

IPSMG:R.2008.11.1

Ipswich Collections

medal, war medal

Queens South Africa Medal, two clasps Cape Colony and Wittebergen (Boer War). Medal has profile of Queen Victoria and ribbon of dark red, navy blue and orange. Description: silver, 36mm diameter, swivelling suspension. Obverse depicts the veiled head of Queen Victoria, and the Legend : VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX. Reverse: depicts a coastal landscape with battleships standing offshore, an advancing army column heads toward the main figure of Britannia, who is holding a flag and offering a wreath. Above this scene are the words "SOUTH AFRICA" Three types of reverse are recorded. Initially the war was expected to reach its conclusion in 1900 and medals were struck with the reverse dates "1899- 1900"( on this type the wreath in Britannia's hand points towards the letter "R" in "AFRICA"). A small number of these were issued (approx 50) before it was realised that the war was to drag on much longer than this. Therefore the rest of the dated medals that had been manufactured had these dates machined off. It is quite common for medals to still show the remnants of these dates, and are described by collectors as "ghost dated". The third type is found with Britannia's wreath pointing towards the letter "F" of "AFRICA ". In summary: Type 1. (or first type 'a') Britannia's wreath pointing towards the "R" and dated 1899 - 1900 (rare). Type 2. (or first type 'b') As above, but dates removed - ghost dates may or may not be visible. (common). Type 3. (or second type) Undated, Britannia's wreath pointing towards the "F" (common). Cape Colony All troops in Cape Colony at any time between 11th October, 1899, and 31st May, 1902, inclusive, who had not received a clasp for a specific action in the Cape Colony, or the " Natal " clasp.

silk, metal