Collecting Date Type Sets
Birth year and date sets are one of the popular categories of coin collecting. They are often collected as gifts for family members or friends. Proof, uncirculated, and circulated coin sets are usually not scarce and can be collected with relative ease.
However, collecting alternatives such as error coins, banknotes, and exonumia (including tokens, medals, cheques, commemoratives, etc.) issued in a particular year and date is often overlooked.
Date set collecting is an easy way to start and build a collection, and can be a rewarding category, especially when accompanied by literature explaining the set's significance.
Collectors Corner
New release - SA Mint
The Big 5 Series - The Elephant
Friends of the WCNS
Reward offered
The WCNS is actively promoting the preservation of our heritage. Our national repositories are the custodians of historically important and irreplaceable items. We are aware of numismatic items that have gone missing from these repositories and urge anyone with information to get in touch via our Contact Us channel
As numismatics is closely connected with history, archaeology, art history, and economics, the language and tasks of numismatics – its terms and techniques - can often be bewildering. From Zevenstuiver to hairline, Unc to Nimbus, find it here. It's the Oxford Dictionary of Numismatics - NNP Dictionary. Note, external link.
Feature Article
Although formed in 1910, the first coinage for the Union was only struck thirteen years later, in 1923, at the Pretoria Mint, a subsidiary of the Royal Mint. As can be expected of a coin series minted over a long period, mintage figures fluctuated for certain denominations in certain years due to sufficient (or insufficient) mintages in previous years.
The paper looks at the silver issues of the 3d (tickey) to the crown (5 shillings) from 1923 to 1960, and gives compelling reasons why mintage figures don't always influence the scarcity of Union coins. It includes a summary in table format, which serves as a handy reference guide. Read it here...
In this article, we look at the women who have appeared on South African minted coins over the past 151 years since they were first issued in 1874. Even though the first woman ever to be depicted on a coin anywhere in the world was born and raised on the African continent, there were long periods in history when this practice was halted. South Africa is no exception, with women only beginning to appear on local coins in the 1900s. This has since improved and is an interesting series for theme collectors. Read the well-illustrated article here...
Last month's competition answer
We received no correct answer to last month's competition question: "When was the first time a ZAR coin was advertised for sale in a price list anywhere in the world?" The answer we were looking for appeared in the January 1897 edition of "The Numismatic Magazine"
In this paper, we will take a closer look at banks and businesses that issued their own banknotes during Victorian times in the Boland, Swartland and Overberg regions of the Western Cape. Very few books have been written exclusively about our early banknotes, with publications like Walter Bergman’s “A History of Regular and Emergency Paper Money Issues of South Africa” (1968) and Brian Hern’s “South African Banknotes & Papermoney Pre-Reserve Bank” (2010) exceptions to the rule.
These two numismatists have identified ten banks and one other business that issued their own banknotes. Follow the link to read more...
A South African Reserve Bank Notes Feature
This Paper Money Grading (PMG) feature displays a comprehensive collection of South African Reserve Bank banknotes from 1961 to 1990. It is the only complete set known and is in the collection of WCNS member Adrian Jordi.
The high-grade set, consisting of 58 notes, won the Best Presented Set award. Visit the high-quality slide show, courtesy of PMG, to see all the notes that earned it the top spot.
Featured Coin Designer
In this, our last instalment of the designers of South Africa's 2023 Fourth Decimal Coin Series, we feature Sujay Sanan, the designer of the R5 coin. Sujay was born and raised in India and currently lives and works in Cape Town. Commissioned by the SA Mint, the coin’s design features a Southern Right Whale mother and calf, with three Galjoen (South Africa’s national fish) all set against a small backdrop of the Wild Coast. Sujay says that drawing for a coin is a very special process. The metallic surface captures details well, but it lacks high contrast. The bas-relief, which is measured in microns, makes it difficult to show perspective clearly. Regarding positioning, the furthest and closest parts of the subjects are not easily distinguishable in relief.
With over 150 paintings sold and housed worldwide, he has had five solo exhibitions, participated in numerous group shows, and collaborated with partners like Wavescape and the WWF to raise funds for conservation through his artworks. Sujay is also an avid rock climber, an acoustic guitar player, and a devoted father.
Western Cape Numismatic Society Announcements
Membership
Membership of the society is open to all and enquiries can be made through our Contact Us channel.
Monthly Competition
Prizes to be won!!
This month's prize is the sought-after book Krugerrand Golden Jubilee by renowned numismatic author Professor Francois Malan. An absorbing read, it is written in the clear style that is a trademark of Prof. Malan. The coffee table sized book includes fascinating facts about the Krugerrand, along with high-quality and rare photos, from concept designs to current issues. The prize is sponsored by Rand Refinery.
To win this amazing book you have to answer the following question:
This picture below was taken of documents and some numismatic items on display in a museum in the (old) Cape Province in 1982. The museum is still in existence today. The question is the following: - What is the name of the museum and where is it situated?
The competition closes on 25 May 2025. Only WCNS members in good standing are eligible to enter. Entries can be sent via e-mail or WhatsApp (+27 83 448 2091) before the closing date. Membership enquiries can be made through our Contact Us channel. Please read the rules...
WCNS Archives
Our comprehensive library consists of SA Numismatic Publications and Government Gazette sections, 1870 - current in Pdf formats, with an added Category Section as a research finding aid. Follow the Library link in the Site Menu bar.
New Book Release
Gouvernements Notes
By Rian Visser and Johan Gouws
This collectors guide has been a decade in the making, providing banknote collectors with a comprehensive resource related to information and research conducted on ZAR Gouvernements Notes issued during the Anglo-Boer war from 1900-1902. With high definition colour pictures, this A4 sized publication is highly recommended.
Hern's Handbook on South African Banknotes and Papermoney - 2025
This handbook is recommended for beginner and seasoned banknote collectors alike. The catalogue is divided into two sections, Pre-Reservebank (before 1921), and Reservebank (1921 - present day). The catalogue contains banknote prices and information on variants, errors and condition.