A military campaign medal awarded to a man who fought for Britain in the iconic Battle of Rorke's Drift in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 is up for sale in Sydney and likely to fetch more than $80,000.
The South Africa Medal belonged to John Key, a corporal at the time and member of the 2nd/24th Foot, who later became a lance sergeant.
The battle in January 1879 involved the British defence of a mission station from Zulu attack at Rorke's Drift, 250km north of Durban.
About 150 British soldiers held off about 4000 Zulu warriors, who had earlier claimed a decisive victory in a battle at Isandlwana to Rorke's Drift's east.
About 500 Zulu warriors died in the battle compared to Britain's 17, with Zulu forces retreating as British reinforcements approached.
As a result, 11 Victoria Cross medals were awarded to participants in the battle, seven of which went to members of the 2nd/24th Foot.
It was the most VCs ever awarded for a single action by one regiment.
Sergeant Key's medal will be auctioned on Thursday afternoon as part of a collection of Anglo-Zulu War medals expected to sell for more than $80,000.
Medals awarded to defenders at Rorke's Drift have in the past sold for more than $350,000, auction house Noble Numismatics said.
Earlier in the week a large 443.56-carat black opal known as "The Pacific", will be auctioned, with expectations of bids stretching to $500,000.
The Pacific was in 1990 declared the largest black opal in the world.
Noble's auction will run for three days from Tuesday at the State Library of NSW and sell more than 3300 objects including coins, medals and stamps.
