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 countrys 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".
This medal with lug was issued to all school children. It is probably the most common of all South African medals.
Credit: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/exonumia93536.html
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