1895 Opening of Delagoa Bay Railways Silver medallion
South Africa |
Diameter of 44 mm
Weight 34.5 grams
Coin condition as per images above, can be viewed at our premises.
Extract below is from a SA medallions website:-
| Form: |
Circular. Struck with a proof-like finish. Sometimes the designs are frosted. Of the two silver examples show, the first has
frosted designs, the second not. |
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| By: |
J.P.M. Menger, Utrecht Mint, Holland. |
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| Date: |
1895 |
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| Ref: |
AM: 5; Hern: 16; ME: South Africa 2; Laidlaw: 0090; |
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| Variations: |
| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 44.0 mm |
Silver (frosted) |
34.7 gm |
$700 |
| 44.0 mm |
Silver (plain) |
35.5 gm |
$600 |
| 44.0 mm |
Copper (Single Flange) |
37.7 gm |
$200 |
| 44.0 mm |
Bronze (Double Flange) |
40.3 gm |
$150 |
| 44.0 mm |
Cast White Metal |
32.8 gm |
$35 |
|
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| Edge: |
Plain. Stamped with the caduceus mark of the Utrecht Mint.
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| Obverse: |
Bust of Paul Kruger facing left, resembling the ZAR coinage. At the foot signed: “J.P.M.MENGER.F.” following the rim.
Legend: “OPENING VAN DEN DELAGOABAAI SPOORWEG (opening of the Delagoa Bay railway)”.
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| Reverse: |
The emblem of the Z.A. Republic Railways: partly oblique view of a winged wheel speeding to the left down a rail.
Behind, twelve streaks of lightening emanating from a cloud. Above: “1895” from which rays shine down behind the
design. Signed: “J.P.M.M.F.” at the bottom. Legend on a raised band: “NEDERLANDSCHE ZUID-AFRIKAANSCHE
SPOORWEG-MAATSCHAPPIJ (Dutch-South African Railway Company)” with flower at the top.
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| Notes: |
The medal was issued to commemorate the official opening of the railway line between Pretoria and the Indian Ocean
port of Delagoa Bay, close to Lorenzo Marques, the capital of the Portuguese colony of Mozambique. An agreement,
between the ZA Republic and Portugal, to construct the line had been signed in 1875, but the annexation of the
Transvaal by the British delayed construction until partial autonomy was restored in 1881. In 1884 a joint Netherland-ZAR
company, the Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorwegmaatschappij, had been formed and by 1893 sufficient funds
had been obtained for work on the line to commence. Given the mountainous nature of the terrain it is remarkable that
the construction was completed in two years.
The artist who executed the design for the medal was Johan Philip Mathias Menger, born in Utrecht, Holland in 1845.
In 1885 he was appointed to the position of head engraver at the Royal Mint in Utrecht, and remained in that position
until 1904. He was succeeded by J.C. Wienecke who was also responsible for number of commemorative medals related
to South Africa.
There are two versions for the reverse design; the first (and earlier) variety shows the wheel with a single flange, the
other has a double flanged wheel. All the silver medals have the single flange.
It is reported (in AM, Hern) that 50 silver medals were struck for presentation to senior people connected with the
railway. The bronze medals are relatively common. |
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ACTUAL IMAGES
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