Item Ref# MS7421

France: Boer War Satirical Medallion

Brief description:  A French/ German medallion made in 1900 that depicts the British Empire using their utmost strength in attacking two small Boer Republics. The cowardly hyaena coming across as strong and mighty in attacking two birds.

"The assassin said, you are mine because I am big and you are small."

This medal was made in Germany by the private mint Beyenbach and sold to coincide with the arrival of President Kruger in France.This medallion (with loop) is known to exist in bronze and aluminium.

 Material:   White metal (Aluminium)
Manufacturer:   Wiesbaden, Germany
Artist:    Messrs Beyenbach
Circa:   1900
Dimensions:   39.7 mm
Weight:   6.4g
Inscription: 

Obverse:  Divided into three portions by two horizontal lines. Upper portion in French: “LA GUERRE DES BOERES (in an arc) / 1900 (large letters)”.
Central wide band, hyaena facing left crushing a bird (the OFS) with its left paw while trying to catch a second bird (presumably the Transvaal) with its right.
Lower portion in German: “L’assassin dit, vous êtes à moi, / car moi je suis grand et vous / êtes petits (The assassin said, you are mine because I am big and you are small)”.
At foot, maker's mark: "B" on caduceus between two five-pointed stars.

Reverse:   Unofficial emblem of the French Third Republic: double-bladed lictor’s axe behind shield tied top and bottom to the shaft of axe with ribbons, bearing: “RF” monogram and on band around: “REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE”.
The maker’s mark: “B” on caduceus at bottom of the axe.
At top, five-pointed star from which emanate a background of ten lightening bolts.
Legend on a scroll: “* * Vive Transvaal L’accueil du président Krüger en France. * * (Long live the Transvaal. The reception of President Kruger in France.)”.

A medal with a similar obverse having German text was also made.