South African Mint Caddy Spoon Vintage piece!

Not seen often!

Description: A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved armorial of the South African Mint (Suid-Afrikaanse Munt). The spoon is substantial, a pleasing weight and good quality. The armorial has the coat of arms of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961), with the symbols of the 4 provinces (Hope with Anchor for the Cape, 2 wildebeests for Natal, orange tree for Orange Free State, and wagon for Transvaal), with motto "Ex Unitate Vires", translated Union is Strength. This is surrounded by 2 wreaths with South African Mint in both English and Afrikaans (the 2 official languages at the time), a building which we think could be the SA Mint building, and strangely a small armorial which appears to be the old Transvaal Republic coat of arms. (explanations welcome!). This spoon is identical in shape and form to the caddy spoon produced by the Pretoria Royal mint between 1923 and 1941, (see examples on our website, S1362 and S 1652), when the Mint became the South African Mint, with the armorial replaced to reflect the change in ownership of the mint. It is interesting to note the building with twin towers is the only part of the design repeated on both, we assume this is the original Mint building on Visagie Street, Pretoria. The hallmarks include South African Lion in U, STG for sterling, date letter Gothic G for 1954 and makers mark S.A.M for South African Mint.

South African Mint silver caddy spoon - Suid Afrikaanse Munt

South African Mint silver hallmarks - STG, Lion

South African Mint spoon - Coat of Arms Ex Unitate Vires

South African Mint caddy spoon - back

South Arfican mint silver spoon - scale

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