Original South Africa Medal 1853 | Cape Frontier Wars Campaign Medal | Queen Victoria | Silver | With Original Ribbon

Original South Africa Medal 1853 – Cape Frontier Wars

An original South Africa Medal (1853) awarded for service during the Cape Frontier Wars (1834–1853). This historic British campaign medal commemorates one of the longest series of colonial conflicts fought in Southern Africa during the reign of Queen Victoria.

This example is supplied with its original ribbon, making it an attractive piece for collectors of British military medals and Victorian campaign awards.

Condition

• Original silver medal.
• Original ribbon included.
• The medal is unnamed, meaning the rim has not been officially impressed with a recipient’s name.
• A small visible dent is present at the lower edge (rim), as shown in the photographs. Apart from this, the medal displays honest age-related wear consistent with its period.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

History

The South Africa Medal was instituted in 1854 to recognise military service during the Cape Frontier Wars, also known as the Kaffir Wars, fought between British forces and the Xhosa people along the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony.

The medal was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, the Royal Navy, selected colonial forces, and in some cases to the next of kin of those who lost their lives during the sinking of HMS Birkenhead.

The obverse features the portrait of Queen Victoria with the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA”, while the reverse depicts a lion drinking at a waterhole beside a protea bush, with “SOUTH AFRICA” above and the date “1853” below. The medal was struck in silver and measures approximately 36 mm in diameter.

Today, the South Africa Medal is regarded as one of the classic Victorian British campaign medals and remains highly sought after by collectors of military history and British Empire memorabilia.

What You Will Receive

• Original South Africa Medal 1853.
• Original ribbon.

The item shown in the photographs is the exact medal you will receive.