We engage in the buying and selling of all South African coins, ranging from those issued prior to the establishment of the Reserve Bank to the present day. We invite you to visit our store to explore our meticulously graded South African coins available for purchase. These coins are obtained from esteemed collectors worldwide. Additionally, we are open to purchasing coins from the public, contingent upon the verification of their authenticity and quality.
To receive an offer for your South African coins, kindly send us images via WhatsApp of the coins you possess. If you accept our provisional offer, we will arrange for the collection of the items and will process payment only after they have been authenticated, which typically takes between one to three days.
History of SA Coins
Coin collecting serves as an intriguing pastime, as it allows individuals to engage with historical narratives. A rare coin from a specific era can evoke memories of a distant past. Furthermore, examining the evolution of a nation’s currency reveals insights into the formation of its national identity, with South Africa serving as a notable illustration.
The history of coin usage in South Africa can be traced back to the arrival of the first European settlers in 1652. Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch navigator, established a trading post for the Dutch East India Company at what is now Cape Town.
Throughout the years, numerous sailors and traders frequented the Cape, bringing with them the currencies of their respective countries. While the Dutch guilder predominated, other currencies such as the Spanish real, Indian rupee, Japanese koban, English guinea, Portuguese joannes, and Russian rouble were also utilized for trade.
The dominance of the Dutch waned in 1795 when the Dutch East India Company faced bankruptcy. Subsequently, Great Britain assumed control of the region, designating Cape Town as a British colony in 1806. The British introduced their own currency; however, due to a shortage of change, various foreign currencies continued to circulate until 1826, when sterling coinage was established as the exclusive legal tender. Approximately fifty years later, South Africa saw the introduction of its first indigenous currency.
Encouraged by the discovery of gold in the area and a desire to validate its sovereignty, the ZAR government constructed a mint in Pretoria and commenced the issuance of its own currency.
In the 1830s, around 12,000 Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers, left the Cape Colony to evade British rule. They migrated inland, establishing the South African Republic (ZAR) and the Orange Free State. In 1874, the South African government made the decision to mint its own coins for the first time. President Thomas Francois Burgers dispatched 300 ounces of gold to London, resulting in the production of 837 gold coins featuring his likeness, which became known as the “Burgers Pond.”
Encouraged by the discovery of gold in the area and a desire to validate its sovereignty, the ZAR government constructed a mint in Pretoria and commenced the issuance of its own currency.
