To understand my selection you must
first understand that pure numismatics is about the joy of collecting pieces
which have a special historical interest. The "investment value" plays little
or no part in this selection but, as a result, normally commands a high price.
All the pieces displayed below are classic "chariot" investment pieces...
click on image right for more.
Number one on the
Balson Holdings Family Trust list of most sought after pieces
The 1902 Veld PondWho can go beyond the historical significance of this magnificent coin, often described as South Africa's most beautiful piece. Every one of the 986 Veld Pond's struck by Kloppers and his rudimentary veld mint is absolutely unique. Recently unearthed correspondence from the assayer of the Veld Pond suggests that just 530 pieces were minted. More at this link. The value of these pieces was understood from the very start with coins being purchased for up to eight times their face value within weeks of being struck. |
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Number two on the Balson Holdings
Family Trust list of most sought after pieces
The Griqua Een Pond Bank NoteThis unusual bank note was ordered by the Griqua Raad under the most peculiar of circumstances, but burnt after being stored without ever being issued. Less than 20 of the 10,000 notes printed survived - and today these notes are found in the extremely rare publication "The Early Annals of Kokstad and East Griqualand" published in 1902 by Rev W Dower. It is the extraordinary circumstances behind the note's printing by the Griqua Raad and the Griqua's pioneering role in South Africa that make this rare note so collectable. |
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Number three on
the Balson Holdings Family Trust list of most sought after pieces
The Strachan and Co trade tokensYes "trade tokens" but so much more - indigenous, widely accepted currency. The pieces seen left were collectively widely used as currency for over 50 years across a region the size of the United Kingdom. Like the Kruger coins they had a unique history and standing in South African numismatics, unlike the Kruger pieces they were accepted as bona-fide by several different governments in East Griqualand including the Griquas and British Colonial powers. Unlike the Burgers Pond (issued in 1874) they were not "elitist" and were holed to accommodate the "necklace" safekeeping needs of the Africans and Griquas - people who had no pockets to store them in. Only 60 complete sets exist today and the interest in these tokens in recent years has seen the price of these sets rise to US$4,000 (2007)
More on the Strachan and Co trade tokens can be seen
at this link |
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Number four on the Balson Holdings
Family Trust list of most sought after pieces
Te Veld and Mafeking Siege Bank NotesThe "Te Veld" bank notes struck by Kloppers at Pilgrims Rest in 1902. These siege notes are of equal historical interest and importance as the Mafeking Siege notes which share fourth spot. Historically both these notes, representing both sides of the conflict, reflect the ingenuity of man in times of dire trouble. More on the Te Veld Bank Notes can be seen at this link
More on the Mafeking Siege Bank notes can be seen
at this link |
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Number five on
the Balson Holdings Family Trust list of most sought after pieces
The ZAR "double shafted" coins of the Boer Republiek
Os stands for "ox" in Afrikaans - Kruger really made an ass of himself with the first gold and silver pieces minted in Germany. |
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More at Great (S African numismatic) investments of the future
These fascinating
and rare pieces nearly brought down Paul Kruger's government. The fall out
of the incorrect design of the South African boer ox wagon - incorrectly
shown as having two shafts and same sized wheels was further aggravated by
the appearance of the initials "O.S." on Kruger's bust on the gold pieces.
The O.S. (seen left) stood for Otto Schultz the German designer
of the coin.
