Queen's South Africa Medal, in Silver (minted without date, with "SOUTH AFRICA 1902" and "CAPE COLONY" clasps)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 02.GBR.0215.101.01.015

Estimated market value:

$275-350 USD

  • Silver Medal (minted without date, with "SOUTH AFRICA 1902" and "CAPE COLONY" clasps) Obverse
  • Silver Medal (minted without date, with "SOUTH AFRICA 1902" and "CAPE COLONY" clasps) Reverse

Estimated market value:

$275-350 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Great Britain
  • Composition
    Silver
  • Inscription
    Obv: VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX Rev: SOUTH AFRICA
  • Size
    36mm
  • Version Remarks
    The value given is for a medal of a recipient in the British Army. A medal for a recipient of a South African or Indian unit would be valued at 175-275, a medal for a recipient of an Australian or New Zealand unit would be valued at 325-350, a medal for a recipient of a Canadian unit would be valued at 325-350, and a medal for a recipient in the Royal Navy would be valued at 350-450.

History


The Queen’s South Africa Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1899 and authorised by Army Order. The Medal was awarded to British and Colonial military personnel, civilians, noncombatants, and other war correspondents who served during the Anglo-Boer War between 1899 and 1902. While the Silver Medal was generally awarded, Bronze Medals were awarded to some local and native contingents, Indian personnel, members of the West India Regiment, and other non-attested men. It is estimated that 178 000 Medals were awarded.

The following 26 clasps denoting the campaign served were authorized for wear with the Silver Medal:

1. “CAPE COLONY”
2. “RHODESIA”
3. “RELIEF OF MAFEKING”
4. “DEFENCE OF KIMBERLEY”
5. “TALANA”
6. “ELANDSLAAGTE”
7. “DEFENCE OF LADYSMITH”
8. “BELMONT”
9. “MODDER RIVER”
10. “TUGELA HEIGHTS”
11. “NATAL”
12. “RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY”
13. “PAARDEBERG”
14. ORANGE FREE STATE”
15. “RELIEF OF LADYSMITH”
16. “DRIEFONTEIN”
17. “WEPENER”
18. “DEFENCE OF MAFEKING”
19. “TRANSVAAL”
20. “JOHANNESBURG”
21. “LAING’S NEK”
22. “DIAMOND HILL”
23. “WITTEBERGEN”
24. “BELFAST”
25. “SOUTH AFRICA 1901”
26. “SOUTH AFRICA 1902”

There are 3 different versions of the Silver Medal which vary by reverse engraving and design. The first version was instituted at the beginning of the war and depicts the inscription “SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1900” as well as an image of Britannia holding a wreath that extends to the “R” of “AFRICA”. The second version of the Medal was issued after 1900, as the war continued. Since many Medals were already minted, the reverse date “1899-1900” was removed. The reverse design of the second version Medal is the same as the first except that a faded impression of the dates “1899-1900”, can sometimes be seen. A third version of the Medal was minted with an altered reverse image after a need for more awards arose when the first and second versions of the Medal ran out. The third version features a design of Britannia holding a wreath that extends to the “F” of “AFRICA” and is not dated. Approximately between 50 and 70 dated Medals were issued to Canadian troops.

The Medal was issued named, however, unnamed versions are known to be in existence. The value of the Medal significantly varies with each recipient.

There may be additional versions of the Medal.

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John Adams, Manitoba Dragoons

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