A Medal with a Story to Tell

The South Africa campaign began in 1877 and is forever marked by the shocking defeat at Isandlwana, followed closely by the dramatic defence of Rorke’s Drift.

That second battle saw just 139 men hold off around 3,000 Zulu warriors, leading to an astonishing 11 Victoria Crosses being awarded.

Because of this, medals linked to those actions carry serious weight. One awarded to a casualty or escapee from Isandlwana can fetch upwards of £10,000. A Rorke’s Drift participant? Expect to start at £35,000.

By contrast, the no-clasp version of the South Africa Medal seems positively affordable, typically selling for around £650 to £700.

A nice detail on this example is the original buckle fitting. In the early days, these medals were pinned on with little consistency in placement. The proper two-prong buckle, like the one shown here, now sells alone for £40 to £50 if you can find one.