South Africa 1923 shilling
The first specimen was lot 24726 in Heritage sale 3020 (Long Beach, September 2012), where it sold for $7,050. The catalog description[1] noted, "George V Shilling 1923, NGC MS66. The scarcest issue of a short-lived two-year type, it would be difficult to find a nicer example. Fully brilliant, and frosty, with surfaces free of noticeable imperfections. From The Ted Reams Collection." The second specimen was part of lot 21491 in Stack's Bowers ANA Auction (Denver, CO, August 2017), which sold for $3,055. The catalog description[2] noted, "SOUTH AFRICA. Ten Piece Proof Set, 1923. Fr-5 & 6; KM-PS1; Hern-P2. Includes: Farthing to Sovereign. The first proof set of South Africa from a mintage of only 655 sets. The silver pieces have an attractive smokey tone which deepens towards the edges and the gold is slightly musty while the blackened bronze pieces are immaculate. The piece with the lowest grade is the 3 Pence in PR 63 and the highest graded is the 1/4 Pence in PR 67. Overall and attractively matched set in terms of eye appeal with many high grade examples. Clearly a set which sat for a prolonged period time undisturbed. All are graded by PCGS in Secure holders. With case of issue. Ex: Stack's Auction May 1-3, 1991, Lot #2567." The shilling was struck in South Africa 1923-60. It was 0.800 fine silver until 1930 and 0.500 fine thereafter. This type varied from later issues (KM 17.2, struck 1926-30) by the presence of a circle of beads around the standing figure on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: 808,000 plus 1,402 proofs.
Specification: 5.65 g, 0.800 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 16a.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th 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]Tucker, Warren, and Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage Signature Auction 3020: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2012.
- [2]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2017 Denver ANA Auction: Ancients, Selections from The Richard Stuart Collection & World Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
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