75th Ann. of Union of Sth.Africa

[Mervyn Mitton]

The old Arms for South Africa are on the box lid.

[Mervyn Mitton]

This medallion - which is in fact a commemorative One Rand silver coin - marks the 75 th year of South Africa.

1910 saw the Union of South Africa come into effect. The Duke of Connaught - 3rd son of Queen Victoria came out to attend the ceremonies and it saw the four Provinces come together as one Country - and with a unified Customs and Immigration Act.

The first Province had been the Cape. Captured from the Dutch by the British in 1805 it had it's own Governor and House of Assembly. This is why Capetown is always called the 'Mother City'.

Natal had it's own Governor and was administered from Peitermaritzburg - the capital.

Transvaal and the Orange Free State had been under Boer rule - but became British territories following the Boer War (1899-1902)

Therefore - the Union was a Nation forming Act. Australia had undergone a similar process in 1902.

[Mervyn Mitton]

The reverse