South Africa 1892 2 shillings
This specimen was lot 25740 in Heritage sale 3026 (Long Beach, October 2013), where it sold for $2,585. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic Proof 2 Shillings 1892, Proof 61 NGC, flashy mirror surfaces with moderate handling in the fields, one tiny toning spot below the bust. Rare and always in demand; only 50-60 are believed to have been struck in Proof." South Africa, after a turbulent history between English and Dutch settlers and the native population, was constituted the Union of South Africa in 1910. This coin was issued 1892-97 by the Afrikaner republic before its conquest by the British. With the collapse of apartheid, collecting South African coins is now respectable again.
Recorded mintage: 55,000 plus a few proofs.
Specification: 11.31 g, 0.925 fine silver, .336 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-6.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Hern, Brian, John Bothma and Hercie Pieterse, Hern's Handbook on South African Coins & Patterns, Ferndale, South Africa, 2013.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3026, World & Ancient Coins, featuring the RLM Collection, Part Two, the Nogales Collection and the Goetz Medals Die Archive, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
Link to: