A spectacular medallic enigma will be offered for sale at auction by Sovereign Rarities in November: lot 40, Auction XV, The Highcliff Collection, 19 November 2024.

The British Empire Medal, South Africa War, 1901, also known as the Campaign in South Africa, and as the South Africa Peace Medal, is a rare item under any circumstances but the example in question is distinct, noticeably different and may be the first of its kind ever offered, or even a unique variety.

As with all good numismatic detective work, there are more questions than answers for now. Why does it weigh nearly half a kilo, considerably more than other strikings in silver? Why is it stamped SILVER on the edge but not stamped with an issue number?

An example in gold was thought by Spink to have been struck for King Farouk of Egypt, after the main gold issue of two.1 That gold medal was stamped No.3. It is the medal illustrated in BHM where Brown states that it was offered in the Palace Collection of Egypt Sale 1954 but was "withdrawn along with a number of other items".2 That auction was held by Sotheby's, though the coins and medals were catalogued by A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd. Does the absence of a number on the present medal mean it was actually struck before the numbered issues? Is it the original specimen? Or is it also a bespoke medal struck to order? Why does this medal share its characteristics with the gold medal illustrated in BHM while other silver medals do not? What was it that W. V. Royle Baldwin, of A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd, a specialist at the heart of the numismatic trade with an accomplished private collection of South African medals, knew about this medal which made him acquire it personally from his company?

No doubt there will be other questions posed before specialists in the series come to a consensus but for now you can view this magnificent medal online, and maybe even a develop theory or two of your own as to exactly what this piece is.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 40: British Empire Medal, South Africa War, 1901