Name/Title
1953/Chalmers: Coronation CrownsScope and Content
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was marked by the issuing of silver Coronation Crowns - specially minted 5 shilling pieces.
Those issued in Southern Rhodesia commemorated not only the coronation but also the 100th birthday of Cecil Rhodes, whose image appeared on the reverse.
In RJ Mack's letter of 10 June, he writes to Ted Davey of Andrew Chalmers, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, to say that the Rhodesian Crown pieces which were sent to Andrew Chalmers in England had arrived safely and were being "passed out to each of the five Directors".
On 19 June, RJ writes to the manager (A. Smith Esq) of the Cholo Highlands Tea Estate that he is sending five (British) Coronation Crown pieces for distribution to five recommended workers of the Mianga staff, together with a signed note to each of them from himself.
Smith was the manager of the Mianga section of Cholo Highland Tea Estate. Makwasa was the other section of the tea estate (managed by A. MacBean).
On 24th RJ sends a further letter to Smith, this time about a Clerk at Makwasa, whom he thinks is Kubwalo - "I would not like him or anybody else to feel too jealous of the Mianga people".
These letters give an interesting view of RJ's thoughtfulness towards his Nyasaland staff.
