South Africa 1945 2-1/2 shillings
The first specimen was lot 3207 in Sincona sale 23 (Zürich, May 2015), where it sold for 550 CHF (about US$691 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SOUTH AFRICA, George VI. 1936-1952 2 1/2 Shilling 1945. FDC aus Polierter Platte. (union of South Africa, George VI (1936-52), 2½ shillings of 1945, proof.)"
The second specimen was part of lot 31679 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), which sold for $1,980. The catalog description[2] noted, "George VI 8-Piece NGC-Certified Proof Set 1945, ...8) 2-1/2 Shillings 1945, PR65 NGC. Included is the original cardboard case. All of the silver pieces are cameo, with bluish reverse toning. A nice matched set." The half crown or 2½ shillings was struck in South Africa 1923-60. It was 0.800 fine silver until 1950 and 0.500 fine thereafter. In 1948, the obverse legend was modified to drop the "IMPERATOR" in "GEORGIUS VI REX IMPERATOR."
Recorded mintage: 183,000 plus 150 proofs.
Specification: 14.14 g, 0.800 fine silver, 32.3 mm diameter, the first specimen 14.12 g.
Catalog reference: KM 30.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 23, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
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