Our brand new Collectors Corner kicks off this month. South African coin collectors are fortunate to be spoilt for choice with the range and quality of South African coins available to them. In our first installment, we explore collecting the popular LAST OF FIRST OF sets, otherwise known as LOFO, and in particular the decimal series from 1961 - current.
Collectors Corner
New 1/10th ounce gold coins released by the SA Mint - click to enlarge
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
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 him the top spot.
Around the world with papermoney
Paper money interests few numismatists, yet it has many points that coins lack: It is easier to house, more beautiful, and more identifiable. A coin is like a million others, but any banknote you have is yours alone, with serial numbers as identifying as though it had your name across it.
All bank notes are not paper! You will find linen, silk, parchment, wood, cardboard, chamois, jute, velvet, rayon and polymer.
The smallest note on record is 12mm x 12mm, which is smaller than a Tickey measuring 16mm in diameter!
Many notes have signatures of famous people, and when studied, show the history of banking and progress all around the world, since the printing of the first until our modern organised life of present-day.
A fascinating collecting field worth exploring. Get your fresh notes, hold onto them, and never fold them!
Extract from the Catalogue of the Second South African Numismatic Convention with additions by WCNS
The Doit of the VOC
(Dutch East India Company)
VOC doits are not that scarce and expensive (with exceptions) and offer a wide and interesting collecting field for South African hobbyists. They are also collected internationally and in great demand even in America, where the VOC issues are called New York Pennies.
As we will see, VOC doits were struck between 1726 and 1794 for use by the company, but after it went bankrupt in 1799 they were still struck depicting the VOC monogram until the early 1840s (of which some retained the frozen date 1790). Read further
Eldon Serjeant Collection of ZAR coins
Lt Col Eldon Serjeant, a British soldier during the Second Boer War, is thought to be the first person to have collected a complete set of ZAR coins.
One of our members has now acquired a set of letters and documents that accompanied this famous coin collection. This will be transcribed and donated for research on our website. Documents that accompany collections can become a fascinating part of that collection.
Follow the links below for more on the Serjeant collection.
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.
Watch this space. Something brand new is in the making...
Western Cape Numismatic Society Announcements
Membership
A reminder to all current members to renew their membership if not already done so. The fees are currently R100 p.a.
Our membership has grown steadily during the past year and we look forward to welcoming new members. Membership of the society is open to all and enquiries can be made through our Contact Us channel.
A Change of Guard
We welcome incoming Liaison Officer Thomas van der Spuy to the WCNS Committee. Thomas is a seasoned numismatist with a wealth of knowledge to share. Outgoing member Luthando Prinsloo won't be lost to the Society as he is currently working on a new numismatic publication. See the members roles here..
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".
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 need to answer the following question:
We know that in Victorian times, businesses like Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, and Spink & Son in the UK, as well as Lyman Haynes Low in the USA, were already dealing in South African numismatics, including the Griqua token series, Cape and Natal tokens, and coins of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republic. Regarding the latter ZAR issues that were the first to bear the name of our country, the following question arises:
When was the first time a ZAR coin was advertised for sale in a price list anywhere in the world?
A picture of the original listing and the front page of the price list must accompany your answer.
The competition closes on 25 April 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.
Book Review
The Art of Coins
Gerald Hoberman
The New York Times only reviewed around 400 of the 40 000 books printed in 1981. One that received an outstanding review was the timeless The Art of Coins and Their Photography by acclaimed Cape Town numismatic photographer Gerald Hoberman. Read the South African Panorama review with pictures by Hoberman. A textbook of the highest quality that is becoming hard to find. Highly recommended...