RSA (Pre-1994): Ciskei – Birth of a Nation
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Form:
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Circular. Proof with frosted designs.
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By:
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South African Historical Mint / Trevor Wood |
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Date:
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1981 |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 0823;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 32.6 mm | 18ct Gold | 20.0 gm | $630 | | 32.8 mm | Silver | 30.3 gm | $45 |
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Edge:
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Plain. Gold medal stamped with the 18ct hallmark of the South African Historical Mint and the issue number. This medal number 30. Silver medal stamped with the sterling silver hallmark of the South African Historical Mint and the issue number. This medal number 194.
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Obverse:
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A Ciskei family group: woman on left in headdress with baby on her back, right; man on right holding stick in right hand looking upwards, left. Three star-like ornaments above. Signed: "TW" below. Legend above: “CISKEI” and below: “SIYAKUNQANDWA ZIINKWENKWEZI”.
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Reverse:
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On the right a bird with a leafy sprig in its beak, left. On the left an assortment of native artefacts: axe, spear, pipe and basket. Signed: "TW" below Legend above: “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” and below: “4 DECEMBER 1981”.
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Notes:
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Both medals come inside a blue velvet case lined on the inside with blue velvet and silk. On the inside of the lid, coat of arms and below that: "SOUTH AFRICAN / HISTORICAL MINT".
The gold medal comes with a certificate of authenticity which states that the mintage was limited to 500. The issue number is handwritten on the certificate.
The medal commemorates the formation of the Republic of the Ciskei, a nominally independent black homeland for Xhosa-speaking people, created under apartheid legislation. It was located in the south east of South Africa and possessed a small coastline along the shore of the Indian Ocean. The capital was Bisho and its president was Lennox Sebe. Ciskei was reincorporated into South Africa in 1994 after the first post-apartheid elections.
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