Queen Victoria Boer War Chocolate Tin 1900 | South Africa Antique

The rectangular tin has rounded corners, designed to fit neatly into a soldier's knapsack, and is decorated in red, gold and blue with an embossed profile portrait of Queen Victoria, her royal cypher "VRI" beneath a crown, and the inscriptions "SOUTH AFRICA 1900" and "I wish you a happy new year, Victoria R.I." Hinged lid, sold empty. Many of these tins were treasured by soldiers and sent home unopened, later repurposed to hold campaign medals — a wonderful piece of genuine social and military history.

• Date: 1900

• Origin: British, Second Boer War campaign

• Condition: Good antique condition, expected wear, crazing and tarnishing to paint and tin consistent with age

• Contents: Sold empty (as issued, chocolate long since gone)