Ghost Dated QSA

[Tony Farrell]

For your entertainment & delight, here is a 'ghost dated' Queen's South Africa Medal. This arose due to the war going on slightly longer than anticipated, as it was all supposed to be done & dusted by 1900. The wily Boer, however, had other ideas and it dragged on until 1902.

Once this slight error had been realised, the original dies had the dates erased rather than re-casting replacements, and the dates can still be seen on some medals. Original dated examples are rare, as they were only issued to one Canadian cavalry outfit - Lord Strathcona's Horse.

There is a later re-strike that remedied the 'ghosting' effect. The most notable difference being that Britannia points to the letter F, rather than R in AFRICA.

The original erased dates of 1899-1900 can be discerned below the wreath, and whilst this does not increase the value of the medal, it certainly gave me the perfect excuse to show you all! Good eh?

[Tony Farrell]

QSA Pair

The medal is one of a pair to a Sergeant Jackman. He served in the Volunteer Company of the 1st Battalion the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was already a serving soldier in the Volunteer Force when volunteer companies were raised in regular battalions to make up numbers.

The Volunteer Force subsequently became the Territorial Force in 1908 and the other medal is the TF Efficiency Medal - awarded for 12 years service.

[mott5ranch]

Ah ha! I see it! I see it! There it is the ghost date on the medal!
That is just too cool! Thanks Tony! I hope to remember this one for a long time. I made a copy for my file!