Collectors Corner
Thematic Collecting
Thematic coin, banknote and medallion collecting is a branch of numismatics where collectors build a collection around a specific subject or theme, such as wildlife, historical events, space exploration, famous people or specific countries and their heritage.
Instead of focusing on dates, mint marks or denominations, thematic collectors curate coins that visually or symbolically represent their chosen interest, allowing them to explore personal passions through the lens of numismatics.
How Thematic Collecting Works
1. Choose a Theme:
Identify a passion or interest that you want to explore.
2. Research Coins (or banknotes, medallions, tokens, etc.)
Look for items that align with your chosen theme. This may involve exploring different countries or eras, as many countries use their coins to tell stories about their people and culture.
3. Build Your Collection:
Acquire items that fit your theme and start to build a narrative within your collection.
4. Learn and Connect:
Thematic collections offer a way to learn about diverse subjects while engaging with the numismatic world. You can also connect with other collectors who share similar interests.
New releases - SA Mint
The South African Mint has released a 24ct gold and fine-silver seven-coin series ‘The Odyssey’. The first in the series, The Odyssey of the Skies depicts the Bateleur Eagle.
Click on image to enlarge
Friends of the WCNS
The truth about collecting banknotes and coins
Collecting banknotes and coins is one of the loneliest hobbies in the world.
Nobody in your household appreciates it.
Your wife wants to know when she can spend it. She would have no idea of the value of your collection, as it may be held against you.
Nobody is allowed to touch it. You cannot put it up on the wall. You always have to hide it. There is nobody to share your enthusiasm with when you get a new note or coin that you have been looking for for such a long time. The closest other collector to share this with is miles away and can only be contacted by phone. Phone him, and he gets upset because he did not get it.
And you want to start collecting what?
André du Toit - SABNS
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
Feature Article
At the beginning of 1916, the authorities administering German East Africa found themselves hampered by a shortage of coins caused by the British blockade and aggravated by hoarding. To meet the situation, it was decided to mint large quantities of brass and copper 5 and 20 Heller coins as well as smaller numbers of gold 15 rupee pieces.
An improvised mint was set up in the railway workshops at Tabora, and Dr. Schumacher, the manager of the Kironda Gold Mines at nearby Sekenke, was entrusted with the task of striking the gold coins. His staff included 7 Sinhalese goldsmiths recruited from Dar es Salaam. Read the article here
The history of banknotes in South West Africa (Namibia) is closely connected to the region’s colonial and administrative past under Germany and later South Africa. Portuguese ships anchored at present-day Walvis Bay as early as the 1400s, but Portugal never made a formal claim to the territory. Colonisation only began when Great Britain annexed the area around Walvis Bay.
In 1884, South West Africa became a German colony known as Deutsch-Südwestafrika. After the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, South Africa was given administrative control. This article looks at the different banknotes issued during both the German and South African periods.
Seven Short Questions to a Fellow Collector
In this popular column, we send seven questions to random collectors and ask them to share their numismatic interests, knowledge, and tips.
For this instalment, we sent our questions to Hamish Horrell, whose interest in numismatics extends to his son, who is also a WCNS member and keen collector. Below are the questions and his answers:
Question 1: Tell us about yourself.
My name is Hamish Horrell. Born and have lived in Cape Town my whole life. I run an industrial refrigeration company.
Question 2: How and when did you become interested in collecting?
I started collecting coins with my elder son, Alexander, during Covid (separate collections). I have always been fascinated by old coins. History, geography, art and languages are all exposed when delving into coins.
Question 3: What did you collect in the beginning?
This month's recommended publication
History of the Nickel Coins of South Africa
This thoroughly researched book, written by Professor Francois Malan in the engaging and accessible style that has become his trademark, takes readers on a comprehensive journey of the conception and design, including official correspondence, to the final product of the second decimal series of South African coins, which includes the first nickel circulation coins and scarce varieties.
Richly illustrated, the 231 page publication is the definitive reference work on South Africa's Second Decimal Coin Series.
From Bickels Coin and Medal News
The Jagersfontein "Waterpenny"
The Jagersfontein water token was not issued because of a water shortage, but because there were no water pipes leading to individual houses. At the time, only pumps had been installed in the streets, and people had to fetch water from them.
In January 1913, the firm of Stewarts & Lloyds of Bloemfontein tendered for the erection of 41 water pumps, which was purchased at a cost of £1,882.17.3. They also commissioned 10,000 of the tokens to be made in Birmingham at a cost of £42.10.0. These tokens were then sold by the Municipality for one penny each. The pumps were erected in June 1913.
Each pump stood about three feet high, topped with the head of a lion from which a thin pipe protruded. On the side was a slot where tokens were inserted.
After inserting a token, the user pulled a small lever, releasing three gallons of water through the lion’s mouth. Residents could fetch only as much water as they required each day.
Two types of tokens exist and are still remembered today as the “water pennies.” Water connections to houses were only laid around 1935.
Western Cape Numismatic Society Announcements
The Cape Town Coin Fair will be held on Saturday 8 November 2025 at the Century City Conference Center.
A Short History of the South African Numismatic Society
The South African Numismatic Society, the forerunner of the Western Cape Numismatic Society, was established in 1941 in Rosebank, Cape Town. This article records the history of the two Societies up to the present day.
Membership
Membership of the society is open to all and enquiries can be made through our Contact Us channel.
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.
Featured Library Item:
The South African Numismatic Society Newsletters: Vol 1, No 5
Recent popular articles
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South African Medallion Sets of the 1970s & 1980s
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Shipwreck Gold Coins from South Africa
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All Articles
Fun facts - Did you know?
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Duplicate medals are not always forgeries and is possible when the original issued to the recipient is lost and then reissued. This can be determined by studying medal rolls.
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The motto “Eendragt maakt magt” appears on the gold 1 Ducat of Louis Napoleon, and was used in this form by the South African Republic.
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The 1979 gold, silver proof, and circulation R1 coins had three different obverse designs and two different reverse Springbok designs.
Quote of the day
The excitement of minting the first coins at the VIP function is best described by Cythna Letty, upon whose painting the 50c coin design was based:
“The great day, 3 December 1964, arrived when the Minister of Finance, Dr Dönges, struck a limited number of new coins at a select party at the Mint. As they came out for inspection I thought Jan van Zyl’s animals and Dick Findlay’s birds were lovely, that the 10 cent with its aloe looked better than I had expected and that the proteas had not ‘clotted’. However, when the 50c piece was taken out of the bucket and lay shining and groomed on its bed of cotton-wool in front of me, I suddenly felt collapsed like a string of boiled macaroni”
Source: History of the Nickel Coins of South Africa