Medal - Formation of the Republic of South Africa

Features

Location South Africa
Type Souvenir medals › Event souvenir
Year 1961
Composition Bronze plated
Weight 15.09 g
Diameter 35.67 mm
Thickness 2.58 mm
Shape Round with a loop
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Number
N#
93536

Commemorative issue

Formation of the Republic of South Africa

Obverse

The coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa with supporters, lion crest and motto in inner circle.

Wording in Afrikaans around the left and English around the right in outer circle.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
EX UNITATE VIRES
REPUBLIEK VAN SUID - AFRIKA
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Engraver: South African Mint

Reverse

Cape Town Castle rendered in a pentagonal shape. Date in middle of castle outline.

Script: Latin

Lettering: 31 - 5 - 1961

Engraver: South African Mint

Edge

Smooth

Comments

These medals were issued to celebrate the establishment of the Republic of South Africa.

Under international pressures over its apartheid policy, South Africa withdrew from the British Commonwealth in March 1961. On 30th May Charles Robberts Swart resigned from his position as Governor-General with the result that Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be the Head of State. The following day South Africa declared itself to be a republic and C.R. Swart was reappointed, but now as the country’s first State President.

Sets of three medals (gold, silver, and bronze without the lug) were issued in a blue oblong case lined with blue velvet and white silk marked "SAM". Silver medals were issued singly in a similar square case.

The bronzed medal with lug was issued to all school children. It is probably the most common of all South African medals. The weight and size values provided on this page are for this version of the medal and include the lug in the medal diameter because standard catalogue guidelines require a maximum diameter to be provided.

See also

Manage my collection

Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.

Date VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1961  5% 9 Ct Gold
1961  41% Bronzed Base Metal
1961  54% Matt Bronze
1961  0% Silver

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this item. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

Get this item

Members from this site want to exchange it: Rickh33, goolam, lorenzi, Herman99, tholelehobe

Feedback: 5/55/55/55/55/5 (×22)
Country: South Africa
Languages: English Afrikaans
Feedback: 5/55/55/55/55/5 (×49)
Country: South Africa
Languages: English Afrikaans
Feedback: 5/55/55/55/55/5 (×234)
Country: United Kingdom
Languages: English Portuguese Spanish
Feedback: none
Country: South Africa
Languages: English
Feedback: none
Country: South Africa
Languages: English

» See the details of the items available for swap

Numista Rarity index: 71 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Contribute to the catalogue

Modify or add data on this page
Register a past auction sale
Register an example of this type
Duplicate this page
Share: Facebook X (Twitter)