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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
New 1/10th ounce gold coins released by the SA Mint - click to enlarge
Coin of the Year Awards 2024
The category winners of the annual Coin of the Year awards were announced on 14 May 2024. South Africa was nominated in three categories, Gold coins, R50 - Buffalo, Circulating coins, 50c - Knysna Loerie, and Bi-Metallic coins, R5 - the Southern Right Whale. The 50c coin, featured elsewhere on this page, won the award for Best Circulating Coin dated 2023. South Africa has always been at the forefront of coin design and has won numerous accolades.
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
The coinage of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek has been much in the news lately due to the sale of the so-called 'single 9' overstamped pond of 1898 in January this year. After the Anglo-Boer War broke out on 11 October 1899, the Pretoria Mint decided to continue the issuing of gold coins, but no 1899 dies were available and subsequently, a number of 1898 ponde were overstamped with the figure “99” on the obverse.
Photos: Ken Jacobs
Statistics show that the overstamped 1899 pond is the rarest ZAR issue (proof coins and patterns excluded) with only 25 coins graded.
The article explores another magnificent South African coin that is sought after by serious collectors. Read here...
Photo: NGCcoin.com
South Africa's most iconic coin, the 1898 ZAR "Single 9" gold pond, which is listed among the top 20 coins in the world, will be auctioned in January 2025 by Heritage Auction House in America. The coin is currently housed in a British collection with connections to the Royal House and is expected to fetch an eight-figure price.
Our article takes an in-depth look at this rare and valuable coin's pedigree, also dubbed "The King of South African Coins," detailing the initial scepticism, followed by the inevitable euphoria. Also included are the prices realised for the coin over the years. The "Single 9" is sought-after by many collectors for its historical and investment value. Read here...
The Springbok antelope, one of South Africa's national animals, has been part of South African numismatics since the early 1900s.
A 10-shilling note, issued as far back as 1916 by the National Bank of South Africa Ltd, a forerunner of today’s First National Bank (FNB), depicted a Sprinbok on the reverse side of the banknote. Since then it has appeared on numerous other South African banknotes, coins and medals. This article is a wonderful journey showing off different designs of the iconic Springbok used by artists over the years, a symbol of pride, resilience and unity. Read more...
Transport tokens come in many forms, being it for railways, trams, buses, ferries and even cable cars. This paper discusses tram and bus tokens that were used at the Cape in the olden days. The following modes of public transport (excluding trains and cars) were available to Capetonians:
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Animal-drawn (mostly horses) carts and wagons.
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Trams drawn by horses (both on tracks & trackless)
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Electrical trams (both on tracks & trackless)
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Buses (also called omnibuses).
No fewer than 17 tram and bus companies are identified, some in opposition to each other and others under the same corporate umbrella. A complicated subject to research has now been made easily accessible with illustrations and needs to be saved as a standard reference tool. Read here...
Latest Gazetted Coinage Acts
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Dimension of, design for, and compilation of 2 oz Piedfort Krugerrand to be issued in 2024
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Dimension of, design for, and compilation of Big 5 Series III to be issued from 2024 to 2026 in South Africa
Featured Coin Designer
Our fifth instalment features the designer of the R2 coin from South Africa's 2023 Fourth Decimal Coin Series, Themba Mkhangeli, a multi-award-winning visual artist, environmentalist, and entomologist. A self-taught artist who first began drawing with ballpoint pens, Themba was commissioned by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the South African Mint to design the new R2 coin.
The overall theme was ecology, and for the R2, the animal inspiration was the Springbok, South Africa's national animal.
To others, it might look like a Springbok mother and lamb, but it represents something deeper for Themba. His inspiration for the design comes from his experience as a child of a single parent, a big issue in our country.
The Capetonian has won several competitions, including the Sanlam Portrait Award, the Vuleka Visual Arts competition, and the Ryno Swart Drawing Medal for best drawing at Rust-en-Vrede Gallery.
Western Cape Numismatic Society Announcements
Accolades
We are proud to announce that The Heritage Portal has included two WCNS articles in the 2024 Heritage Portal Showcase Top Five "Popular Articles" category. We are also listed in their directory database under two categories, namely "Research" and "Preservation Societies".
Membership
Membership of the society is open to all. Enquiries can be made through our Contact Us channel
Next Quaterly Meeting:
15 February 2025
Single 9: Sale Price
US$ 2,160,000.00
ZAR 41 149 510.00
Price includes buyers premium
13 January 2025
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.
More SA Numismatic resources
New Book Release
The "Perfect" Forgery
The book takes us back to the days of the Anglo Boer War when the Berlin Mint tried to supply the Pretoria Mint with dies for 1900 Ponde. It reads like a spy story with secret agents of both the British and Boer governments involved, a break-in on a ship in the Lourenco Marques harbor in Mozambique, secret dealings with the French Mint in Paris, and much more. A delightful and well researched piece. Proceeds from the book sales will go to the WCNS.
Hern's Handbook is an essential companion for all collectors of SA Coins and Pattern pieces and need no introduction. "Buy the book before you buy the coin"
