Collectors Corner
Coin Cleaning
Wikipedia describes coin cleaning as the controversial process of removing undesirable substances from a coin's surface in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers. The subject is disputed among the numismatic community whether cleaning coins is necessary. Those that argue in favour of cleaning are also in dispute on which methods work best.
It was once common practice to clean coins as the method was recommended by experts in the field. Solutions from pencil erasers to wire brushes and potassium cyanide were all used as cleaning agents with the goal to make the coin look brilliant again. When certified grading came into use in the mid-1980s though, the practice of cleaning coins diminished over time.
Most coin experts have since come out against cleaning coins, as doing so can negatively affect them both in grade and value. If a potentially valuable coin must be cleaned (for example if the coin is deformed) then professional work is recommended.
Commonly found coins are mentioned as ideal candidates for any attempted cleaning experiments.
SA Mint - New coin release
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.
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Coin of the year 2025
Austria's "Supernova" 20 euro silver coin was awarded the Coin of the Year (COTY) award for 2025. Made of Sterling Silver, it's unique shape illustrates the explosion of a supernova.
Click the play button to see more of this unique-shaped coin.
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
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
Feature Article
Considering the extraordinary variety of the gold pieces which were current at the Cape from the time of the advent of Van Riebeeck until the British sovereign was installed, one is irresistibly reminded of the diversity of Old Flint’s collection described in Robert Louis Stevenson’s great buccaneering romance, “Treasure Island.” Readers may turn to the last chapter to refresh their memories.
Source: Reddit.com
There is it written: “I (the boy hero of the story) was kept busy all day in the cave, packing the minted money into bread-bags."
“It was a strange collection . . . English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Georges and Louises, doubloon and double guineas, moidores and sequins, the pictures of all the kings of Europe for the last hundred years, strange Oriental pieces, stamped with what looked like wisps of string or bits of spider’s web ... nearly every variety of money in the world must, I think, have found a place in that collection; and for number I am sure they were like autumn leaves, so that my back ached with stooping and my fingers with sorting them out.”
Well, practically all the varieties of gold pieces in that famous hoard of fiction were once current at the Cape. Read the article here.
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 fellow WCNS member John Watson who is an avid collector with a keen interest in growing the hobby.
Below are the questions and John's answers:
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Question 1: Tell us about yourself.
I am John Watson, and I was issued at One Mill Hospital in Pretoria. I worked as a Non-destructive Testing Technician in the aviation sector - a fancy way of saying I checked for corrosion and fatigue cracks on aeroplanes and cleared them to return to service. After moving to Cape Town 15 years ago, I studied Interior Design and now design and manufacture custom furniture under my own brand.
Question 2: How and when did you become interested in collecting?
I believe a true collector is born with the "collecting gene." Even when you finally find that special item you thought you could never live without, there’s always something else that becomes a “must-have.” As a child, I was always looking at the ground for shiny rocks and crystals — especially while hiking in the Magaliesberg or on a trail in the veld. This collecting habit soon spread to old car badges, stamps, and eventually coins, after discovering a small suitcase of coins in the back of my grandfather’s wardrobe.
Question 3: What did you collect in the beginning?
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
Some of South Africa’s numismatic “firsts” have already been discussed individually in previous articles on our WCNS website. This article now brings them together in one paper, adds further information, and explores topics such as the first circulating coins at the Cape of Good Hope, the first honorary medal awarded by the VOC to Ysbrant Godske in 1677 for the construction of the Castle at the Cape, and the de Mist Cartwheel Penny as the first token coinage struck for South Africa — among other notable “firsts” leading up to our modern issues. A literary and historical treasure trove. Link here...
The 1950 South African Pattern Pound
In April 1952, Dr Frank Mitchell wrote the following in an article:
"By courtesy of the Director of the South African Mint I am able to record the striking of two South African Pattern Pound pieces of 1950. These pieces bear the designs of the 1952 coins, but they are dated 1950. They were struck in order to show Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians what the proposed Gold Coinage would look like, and indicate that the idea of reviving a gold coinage has been in the air for some little time.
When I recently had the privilege of examining one of these handsome pieces, I was informed by the Director that only two were struck and that both would be deposited in the Mint Museum in Pretoria."
Prof. D. F. Malan, author of The Pretoria Sovereign and an expert on these coins, pointed out that the Coinage Amendment Act of 1952 was gazetted only on 24th March 1952, which confirms that Dr Mitchell was correct in saying that the idea of this gold coin had been in the air for some time.
There does seem to be a difference of opinion about how many of these were struck. Hern’s catalogue states that “both pieces were struck in 1950” and includes a picture (right) of a 1952 pattern piece. According to Dr Mitchell, both pieces were dated 1950, although he handled only one.
Could it be that another 1950 pattern one-pound was struck, or did Dr Mitchell misunderstand the Mint Director? These pieces are still in the SA Mint Museum.
Images courtesy of Herns Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns
Western Cape Numismatic Society Announcements
The Cape Town Coin Show 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:
A rare publication by F.S. Salisbury
Fun facts - Did you know?
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Church baptismal records show Paul Kruger’s birth date as 1 October 1825. Although Pres Kruger himself believed he was born on 10 October 1825, the evidence from the register seems clear.
"The historical method requires us to accept the most likely source closest to the events, in this case the birth and baptism register – provided it passes the test of internal criticism." - Prof. F. Pretorius, Emeritus professor of History, University of Pretoria
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The Decimalisation Committee recommended the major unit of the South African decimal currency be named the Rixdollar, abbreviated as Rd. Other suggestions that were considered included Dollar, Half-sovereign, Half-pound, Ducron (ie. double crown), Protea, Rand, Kudu and Kruger.
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Besides the two Burgers Crosses awarded to deserving woman at the Pilgrims Rest gold diggings, two sisters, Annie and Elizabeth Russell were gifted a claim in Pilgrims Creek for their work among the sick. It is said that the sisters took £4 000 of gold from it.
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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, design, including official correspondence, to the final product of the second decimal series of South African coins and designs, which includes the first nickel circulation coins and other scarce varieties.
Richly illustrated, the publication is the definitive reference on South Africa's Second Decimal Coin Series.