Very Rare | 1895 | ZAR Medal | Delagoa Bay Railway Spoorweg Feesten | Pretoria | R1 Start Auction

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The Delagoa Bay Railway line ran from Pretoria to present day Maputo and it open up a trade route for the ZAR that was independent of Great Britain. It is stated that the medal was used as an “entrance ticket” to the celebration luncheon. The railway was officially opened by Paul Kruger on July 8 1895. Only 1000 guests were invited and only 1000 coins were minted. I believe this is the type 2 version with the date between the s and n. Silver: Diameter 31.8 mm. Mass 15.0 gm. Plain edge. The medals were struck on the same blanks, using the same obverse die, as the Mint used to make the ZAR Halfcrowns. The railway line was of great strategic importance to the ZAR because it opened a trade route that was independent of the British Empire. 1000 medal in silver were produced.