Item number: M540

Reference number: Borna Barac II#150; BBM#91

Year: AD 1902-1910

Material: Bronze

Size: 36.1 x 36.1 x 2.8 mm

Weight: 25.7 g

Manufactured by: The Royal Mint, London

Provenance: Aberdeen Medals 2026

This is a trial specimen representing the Africa General Service Medal, instituted by King Edward VII in AD 1902 to reward military service across East, West, and Central Africa.

The medal is circular in form. The obverse corresponds to that of the earlier King’s South Africa Medal, featuring a left-facing bust of King Edward VII in the uniform of a Field Marshal. On his left breast, he wears the Star of the Order of the Garter, whilst the neck decoration appears to be the Order of St John, with the remaining insignia being indistinct. Circling the rim is the Latin legend “EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR”, meaning “King Edward VII, Emperor”. Below the bust, the small initials “DeS.” denote George William de Saulles, the then Chief Engraver to the Royal Mint.

The reverse design corresponds to that of the earlier East and Central Africa Medal, depicting a standing figure of Britannia wearing a classical Greek helmet. In her right hand, she rests a trident symbolising naval supremacy, whilst her extended left hand holds a palm branch and a scroll, symbolising peace and imperial law. Striding behind her is a lion, an emblem frequently used to represent the might of the British Empire since the twelfth century. To the right, a sun rises above the marine horizon, signifying enlightenment and a new order. The inscription in the exergue reads “AFRICA”, replacing the previous wording “EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA”. The designer’s signature, “G. W. de Saulles”, is engraved along the lower right rim.

In June AD 1902, Edward VII sanctioned the Africa General Service Medal to replace the East and West Africa Medal and the Central Africa Medal, both of which had accumulated numerous clasps. The ribbon consists of a yellow centre flanked by black borders, with two narrow green stripes positioned inward alongside the black edges. Clasps were awarded for participation in various campaigns, with thirty-four distinct clasps issued during the reign of Edward VII alone. Silver medals were awarded to British and colonial forces, whereas bronze medals were issued to camp followers and non-combatant personnel.

Edward VII (AD 1841–1910), the eldest son of Queen Victoria, ascended the throne in AD 1901, initiating the “Edwardian era” renowned for dynamic diplomacy and social reform. Throughout his reign, he fostered the Entente Cordiale through adept diplomatic engagements, earning the reputation of the “Peacemaker of Europe”. Regarding African policy and imperial administration, he confronted and brought to an end the brutal Second Boer War at the outset of his reign, subsequently promoting post-war reconstruction and self-governance in South Africa, which ultimately culminated in the creation of the Union of South Africa in AD 1910. Furthermore, through the Entente Cordiale, he harmonised the spheres of influence in Morocco and Egypt, consolidating British de facto control over Egypt, whilst consistently supporting various imperial expeditions to suppress tribal rebellions and secure the frontiers across the continent.

物件編號: M540

參考書目編號: Borna Barac II#150; BBM#91

年代: 公元 1902-1910 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 36.1 x 36.1 x 2.8 mm

重量: 25.7 g

製造地: 皇家鑄幣廠，倫敦

來源: Aberdeen Medals 2026

這是一枚非洲一般服務獎章的樣章，該章由英王愛德華七世於公元1902年設立，獎勵於東非、西非與中非各地服役者。

章體呈圓形。正面與此前南非獎章相同，中央為愛德華七世(King Edward VII)著陸軍元帥軍服的左側半身像。左胸佩戴嘉德星章，頸綬的應該是聖約翰勳章，其餘難辨。周圍沿章緣環列拉丁銘文「EDWARDVS VII REX IMPERATOR」，即「國王愛德華七世，皇帝」。下方小字「DeS」，為「喬治·威廉·代·索羅斯」(George William de Saulles)縮寫，其為時任皇家鑄幣局雕刻師。

背面與此前「東非與中非獎章」相同，為不列顛女神(Britannia)，頭戴古希臘式頭盔，右手扶立象徵海上霸權的海神三叉戟，左手平伸，手持棕櫚枝與卷軸，象徵和平與帝國法律。女神身後有一隻前行的雄獅，雄獅自十二世紀以來便經常作為大英帝國力量的象徵。右側海面，地平線上初升的太陽，象徵光明與新秩序。底部銘文「AFRICA」，即｢非洲｣，取代了此前的「EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA」。章緣右側刻有設計師簽名「G. W. de Saulles」。

公元1902年6月，愛德華七世設立非洲一般服務獎章，以取代已附加許多銘牌(clasps)的「東非與西非獎章」和「中非獎章」。綬帶以黃色為底，兩側鑲黑邊，黑邊內側朝中心方向各有兩條綠色細條紋。因參與的各戰役而得授銘牌，愛德華七世時期便有34種。銀質獎章頒予英國與殖民地軍隊，銅質獎章則頒予後勤人員。

愛德華七世(Edward VII，AD 1841-1910)為維多利亞女王之長子，於公元1901年登基，開啟了以活躍外交與社會革新著稱的「愛德華時代」。在位期間，他以靈活的手腕推動《英法協約》，贏得「歐洲和平締造者」的美譽；而在非洲政策與殖民治理上，他登基之初即面臨並終結了殘酷的第二次布爾戰爭，隨後積極推動南非的戰後重建與自治，最終促成公元1910年「南非聯邦」的建立。此外，他透過英法協約妥善協調了雙方在摩洛哥與埃及的勢力範圍，確立了英國對埃及的實質控制權，並堅定支持帝國於各地鎮壓部落反抗與鞏固邊疆的各項遠征行動。