A most impressive and rare large bronze medallion commemorating the famous Boer General, Jan Christian Smuts Africanus, who was famous for his exploits in Cape Colony during the Anglo-Boer War and later, in WW1, as Field Marshall to the South African Forces. He also happened to be the signatory on both the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and the treaties that ended WW2.
Jan Christian Smuts Africanus, large bronze medallion, 106mm, 450g. Obverse featuring bust facing right and Jan Christian Smuts Africanus in upper surround; the reverse depicting a Boer on an oxwagon with text “PER VARIOUS CASUS PER TOT DISCRIMINA RERUM” (THROUGH SO MANY MISHAPS, THROUGH SO MANY PERILOUS EXPERIENCES). G. Brinkgreve, Netherlands makers mark.
Produced in a very small number in 1947, one of which was awarded to Gen. Smuts.
According to a letter from The Royal Netherlands Embassy dated 6th March, 1958, the medal was designed by the well-known Dutch medallist G. Brinkgreve in Amsterdam in 1947 as arranged by the numismatic firm Jacques Schulman. It was ordered by a Belgian doctor who thought of emigrating to South Africa and wanted to present this medal to the General.
Around 20 of these medals were cast.
