Overseas bidders were the purchasers of a large percentage of the more than 400 lots included in this Postal Auction.

The highlight was the Royal Artillery KCB group to Brigadier General Sir James Tennant, the bid in South African Rands fetched R90.000.00 (R105.390.00 incl. buyer’s commission and VAT). Tennant served as a cadet at the Battle of Blaauwberg in 1806 before his distinguished career in India.

Other items of special note were a 3 x MiD OBE/DFC group that fetched South African Rands R23.625.00 (R27.664.87 incl.) and a 19th Hussars Boer War DCM which sold for South African Rands R23.500.00 (R27.518.50 incl.). Top price for a campaign medal was South African Rands R19.900.00 (R23.302.90 incl.) for the SA 1853 medal awarded to Lieut. of the Colonial Levies while a Myer’s Drift, Intombi River casualty Zulu War medal was keenly bid up to more than double the pre sale estimate of S.A. Rand 19.800.00 (R23.185.80 incl.). Estimates were set at 14 = £1 but at the close of sale the Rand had appreciated to 12.5 = £1.

Catalogues for the next Auction will be released during July and will include the most extensive collection of Victorian medals ever offered for sale in South Africa. Reflecting on the wide diversity of South Africa’s turbulent military past, the 400 plus lots will boast more than 20 Boer War Gallantry groups, including the impressive CMG/DSO Defence of Mafeking group to Lt. Col. Bridges of the Protectorate Regiment and an extremely rare First Boer War Siege of Potchefstroom DCM group awarded to Driver Pead of the 9th Brigade Royal Artillery. No less than 10 Boer War DCM’s have been consigned for sale and these include awards to units such as the West Yorkshire Regiment and the Scottish Rifles (both for Spionkop), the Gordon Highlanders (for Elandslaagte) and the Northumberland Fusiliers (for Modder River). Two unusual groups include DTD’s to Boer Officers paired with a second British Decoration (DSO/DCM) for subsequent gallantry during WWI.

The listing of single campaign medals includes nearly 40 SAGS Zulu War medals to Naval and British Imperial units on offer. QSA medals include many choice items with a wide range of casualties and scarce units such as the British Red Cross Society, Irish Guards, Maritzburg Ambulance Corps and the Irish Hospital. Of special interest will be the suppressed issue of the Kimberley medal as well as examples of the O’Okiep medal in both silver and bronze, paired with the relevant QSA’s.

Most definitely a major sale – not to be missed.

Contact City Coins at Tel +27-(0)21 4252639 or e-mail: auctions@citycoins.co.za or visit their Website: www.citycoins.com for details. A list of prices for auction 51 is available on this website. Interested parties can apply for a catalogue which is issued free of charge.