VOC period
1652‑1795, Dutch coins, barter
First British Occupation
1795‑1803, paper crisis
Batavian Republic
1803‑1806, paper issues
Sterling introduced
1825
Early Colonial Currency (1652‑1825)
The chaotic monetary history of the Cape – from barter and Dutch guilders to the introduction of sterling.
Key Facts
- 1782: first VOC duit
- 1795: £258,255 paper, no coin
- "Dubbeltjie" – copper penny = two stivers
- 1806 proclamation lists 30+ coin types
🇳🇱 Dutch VOC Period (1652‑1795)
Barter with Khoikhoi (copper, iron, tobacco, beads). Dutch coins (guilder, stuiver, duit) and Spanish reales circulated. The first coin specifically for the Cape was the 1782 VOC duit, struck in the Netherlands with the VOC monogram.
🇬🇧 First British Occupation (1795‑1803)
The colony had £258,255 in paper and no metallic coin. A 1797 proclamation fixed values for guineas, dollars, rupees, etc. The copper penny became known as a "dubbeltjie" (two stivers) – a term still used today for the 10c piece.
🇳🇱 Batavian Republic (1803‑1806)
Dutch returned, issued 150,000 rixdollars in paper. The 1806 proclamation (after British re‑occupation) lists dozens of gold and silver coins with their values in rixdollars – a fascinating snapshot of global trade:
- Gold: Guineas, Mohurs, Johannes, Doubloons, Venetian Sequins
- Silver: Rupees, Ducatons, Guilders, Shillings, Sixpence
- Copper: Pennies (1/12 rixdollar)
Introduction of Sterling (1825)
Imperial order‑in‑council introduced sterling at 1s 6d per rixdollar. British silver and copper gradually replaced the motley collection of foreign coins. The word "dubbeltjie" survives to this day as a colloquial term for a 10‑cent piece.
Sources
- Strombom, I. (1962). "The Proclamation of 19 April 1806." South African Numismatic Journal.
- Hern, Brian. Standard Catalogue of South African Coins.
- Wikipedia: South African pound.