Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The unique ‘Civilian’s’ British South Africa Company Medal for Mashonaland 1890 awarded to J. Howell Coles, a Prospector for the Goldfields of South Africa Company, later Trooper, Gifford’s Horse

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse undated, 2 clasps, Mashonaland 1890, Rhodesia 1896 (J. Howell Coles); together with the recipient’s original British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse for Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (Troopr. J. H. Coles. Gifford’s Horse) minor edge nicks, otherwise nearly extremely fine and rare (2) £3,000-£4,000

Only 200 medals were issued for Mashonaland 1890, distributed as follows: British South Africa Company Police (111); Pioneer Column (88); Civilians (1). Coles’ medal is therefore unique to a Civilian recipient.

The final roll submitted by the Government of Rhodesia to the General Manager of the British South Africa Company of men entitled to claim the medal for Mashonaland 1890 contained the names of 15 civilians, including that of J. Howell Jones, Prospector for Goldfields of South Africa Company. It transpired that Coles was the only one of these men to apply for the medal and the roll contains the instruction that the description on the medal will be “initials and surname” only.

Note: Although those men who had been issued with one of the earlier medals and clasps were expected to hand in their original medal for exchange when claiming the undated medal with Mashonaland 1890 clasp in 1927, a number (including Coles) did not do so.