© Philip Coetzee
© Philip Coetzee
Medal - Dias 88 Festival Sao Gregoria
1988 year| Nickel plated steel | 12.2 g | 28.50 mm |
| Location | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Type | Medals › Commemorative medals |
| Year | 1988 |
| Composition | Nickel plated steel |
| Weight | 12.2 g |
| Diameter | 28.50 mm |
| Thickness | 3.00 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-11-13 |
| Numista | N#59742 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 74% |
Reverse
A Portuguese Caravel sailing ship representing Dias's ship, the São Cristóvão.
Script: Latin
Lettering: Dias 88
Edge
Plain
Comment
This medal is part of a set of four, commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias rounding the cape in 1488. They were issued as part of the Dias 88 festival in 1988, which also included the building of commemorative monuments in areas significant to Dias's voyage.Each of the four medals commemorates a different landmark on Dias's voyage. This one commemorates the erection of the Padrão de São Gregório ("Cross of Saint Gregory") at the location now known as Kwaaihoek near the mouth of the Bushman's River in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa in March 1488. This was the most Westward point of Dias's exploration of the South African coast.
Dias was the first known European explorer to reach the coast of South Africa.
