United Kingdom. An Early Issue Queen’s South Africa and King’s South Africa Medal to Pt. Keeley, POW, 1901

A Queen’s South Africa Medal. Early Issue, in silver, full size, rim impressed 6736 PTE. P. KEELY. 1ST CONNAUGHT RANG:, with CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, and TRANSVAAL clasps, reverse bears the ghost dates 1899 1900 denoting the first issue of the medal, dark patina around the outside of the medal, light wear, remains very fine. 

A King’s South Africa Medal. In silver, full size, rim impressed 6736 PTE. P. KEELY CON. RANG:, with SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and SOUTH AFRICA 1902 clasps, darker patina to edges, remains very fine. 

Footnote: Pte. P. Keely is on the medal roll for the Queen’s South Africa Medal, and was awarded the three clasps shown above. According to the 1st Battalion Connaught Ranger Casualty details, Keely was taken prisoner at Zuurvlakte on July 26, 1901. 

The first issue of the Queen’s South Africa Medal had dates 1899-1900 as the British expected the conflict to be short. However, as the war continued, these dates were machined off and left ‘ghost dates’ on the later issues. The dies were later redone and did not have dates at all and also show Britannia’s hand pointing to the “F” instead of the “R” as shown on this early issue medal.