Coins of the South African Republic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For later related coins, see Coins of South Africa.
The South African Republic is often confused with the Republic of South Africa. The South African Republic became the Transvaal between 1877 and 1881, and from 1900 until 1994. Some people do not regard the South African Republic's coinage as being part of the Commonwealth of Nations coin series. That is actually incorrect, because the South African Republic was independent under British suzerainty.
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[edit] The Trade Tokens of Strachan and Company 1874 - 1932
While not circulated in the South African Republic they are South Africa's first indigenous coinage and, for the sake of accuracy, should not be omitted from the region's early numismatic history.
Unlike the Burgerspond (see below) the Strachan and Co trade tokens were actively used as coinage over an area the size of Ireland by a largely non-white population for over 50 years.
The coins were issued by a trading store, Strachan and Company, and recognised by the Griqua Government in East Griqualand before the territory was annexed by the British is 1878. Despite the region falling under the jurisdiction of the British the coins continued to be accepted across the region until 1932 when they were outlawed.
Even the Standard Bank at Kokstad record accepting and distributing these coins until the late 1800s because of the shortage of imperial coinage in this remote region.
[edit] The Burgerspond of 1874
This famous and extremely rare coin was the first coin to have been struck for any entity that later became part of South Africa. It was struck at Heaton's Mint, Birmingham, England, even though it lacks the H mint mark.
There are two types of the Burgerspond — a coarse beard type and a fine beard type.
The Burgerspond is named after the President of the South African Republic, Thomas Francois Burgers. Some members of the South African Republic's Volksraad—or Parliament—credited Burgers with the introduction of the Republic's first coinage. When the first issue (the fine beard variety) was presented to members of the Volksraad they scorned the coins that carried Burger's image. The symbolism represented foolish pride to a very religious community. Such was the outcry no further attempt was made to mint more of these coins with the smaller second strike (coarse beard) being stopped because of the ill feeling the "coins" created among the Boers.
The Burgerspond was rarely, if ever, used as coinage and was commonly used as jewellery, the reason so few unmounted pieces exist today.
[edit] Kruger Coins of 1892–1900
In 1892, the South African Republic began to issue its first full coinage series. As the British coins were in circulation, it was natural that the British currency system was adopted.
There were 12 Pence in one Shilling, and 20 Shillings in one Pond. These coins depict the portrait of the President, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger. The name of the Republic was Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, which was abbreviated on the obverse of the 1d, the 2-1/2s, the 5s, the 1/2 Pond, and the 1 Pond.
In 1892 the coins that were issued are as follows;
1 Penny. (Issued in 1893, 1894 and 1898).
3 Pence or Tickey. (Issued 1893 to 1897).
6 Pence. (Issued 1893 to 1897).
1 Shilling. (Issued 1893 to 1897).
2 Shillings. (Issued 1893 to 1897).
2-1/2 Shillings. (Issued 1893 to 1897).
5 Shillings. (Issued in 1892 only).
1/2 Pond. (Issued 1893 to 1897).
1 Pond. (Issued through to 1900).
The coins of the 1892 issue were struck at the Royal Prussian Mint in Berlin. The others were struck at the South African Republic's Mint in Pretoria.
There are two types of Kruger coins: Single Shaft and Double Shaft, which is derived from the wagon depicted in the Republic's Coat of arms. The Double Shaft coins are known by the nickname Disselboom, which is Afrikaans for Double Shaft. The 1892 Single Shaft 1/2 Pond coin is a unique coin. The Disselboom coins are the 1892 1/2 Pond and 5s coins. One has to be very careful, as there are forgeries of the Disselboom coins, especially the 5s. A genuine Disselboom 5s must have the wheels on the wagon the same size.
[edit] The Sammy Marks Tickey of 1898
This very rare coin is the same design as the Tickey of 1892–97, but dated 1898 and struck only in 22 carat (92%) gold. There are 215 pieces known. These were struck by the mining magnate Sammy Marks. There were also contemporary jewellers' copies struck at the same time. The jewellers' copies are also in 22 carat (92%) gold, but they can be identified by the lack of stops in the Z.A.R. monogram at the top of the reverse. The jewellers' copies of the Sammie Marks Tickey are popular with Commonwealth of Nations coin collectors.
[edit] The Veld Pond of 1902
This is another extremely rare and famous coin. This coin is unique in two respects:
It has the Z.A.R. monogram on the obverse and 'EEN POND' on the reverse.
This coin was struck at an emergency mint located in Pilgrim's Rest, hence the origin of the name 'Veld Pond'.
[edit] Kruger Pond Brass Token
There is a brass token that is often confused with the Kruger 1 Pond coin. The giveaway is in the scroll below the Coat of arms. Instead of the normal motto, it is inscribed 'IMITATION KRUGER SOVEREIGN'.
[edit] Popularity of the Kruger coins
The Kruger coins are very popular, especially with coin collectors in Scotland. After the Second Boer War, the returning Scots war veterans returned home with pocketfuls of Kruger coins, which they found and souveniered. The 1898 1d often turns up, as it is the most common coin. The 1/2 Pond and 1 Pond coins are popular, because they are the same fineness as the British 1/2 Sovereign and 1 Sovereign coins: 22 carat (92%) gold.
