Denominations
3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/-, 2/6, 5/-
Composition
.925 Silver (92.5%)
Mint
Berlin & Pretoria
Engraver
Otto Schultz
Years
1892‑1897
Key Date
1892 Shilling (129,627)
1892 Silver Denominations
The first silver coinage of the Zuid‑Afrikaansche Republiek, struck in Berlin and later in Pretoria. These coins circulated alongside the gold Pond and feature the same portrait of President Paul Kruger by Otto Schultz.
Key Facts
- Mint: Royal Prussian Mint, Berlin (1892)
- Mint: Pretoria Mint (1893‑1897)
- Silver content: .925 fine
- Shilling mintage (1892): 129,627
- Florin mintage (1892): 55,000
- Crown (double shaft): 4,327-4,357
Overview
The 1892 silver issues included six denominations: the 3 Pence (threepence), 6 Pence (sixpence), 1 Shilling, 2 Shillings (florin), 2½ Shillings (half crown), and 5 Shillings (crown) . Most were struck at the Royal Prussian Mint in Berlin, though the shillings and florins were partially struck at the newly established Pretoria Mint in late 1892 .
The obverse of all denominations features the bust of President Paul Kruger, designed by Otto Schultz. His controversial initials "O.S." appear on some denominations, though the smaller silver coins (unlike the gold Pond and crown) did not carry the double shaft error – that was confined to the crown.
The series continued until 1897, with mintages varying significantly by year. The 1892 issues are generally the most sought-after as the first year of production.
Mintages & Specifications (1892)
| Denomination | KM# | Mintage | Weight | Diameter | ASW | Mint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Pence (3d) | KM#3 | Unknown | 1.41g | 16.0mm | 0.042 oz | Berlin |
| 6 Pence (6d) | KM#4 | Unknown | 2.83g | 19.35mm | 0.084 oz | Berlin |
| 1 Shilling (1/–) | KM#5 | 129,627 | 5.66g | 23.7mm | 0.168 oz | Berlin (+ Pretoria late 1892) |
| 2 Shillings (Florin) | KM#6 | 55,000 | 11.31g | 28.5mm | 0.336 oz | Berlin (some proofs) |
| 2½ Shillings (Half Crown) | KM#7 | Unknown | 14.14g | 32.3mm | 0.420 oz | Berlin |
| 5 Shillings (Crown) – Double Shaft | KM#8.2 | 4,327‑4,357 | 28.28g | 38.8mm | 0.841 oz | Berlin |
| 5 Shillings (Crown) – Single Shaft | KM#8.1 | 14,000 | 28.28g | 38.8mm | 0.841 oz | Berlin |
Composition: All denominations are .925 silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper) .
Proof Issues
Proof examples of the 1892 silver coins are extremely rare and highly sought after. The florin (2 shillings) had approximately 50-60 proof examples struck, as noted in a Heritage auction catalog . A proof florin graded PR61 NGC sold for $2,585 in 2013. Proof crowns (both varieties) are also known, with approximately 25 proof double shaft crowns believed to exist .
Auction Records & Values
The following prices represent actual hammer prices from recent auctions and demonstrate the market for these coins:
| Denomination | Year | Grade | Price Realized | Auction / Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Shilling | 1892 | VF25 (SANGS) | €51 (part of 2‑coin lot) | Catawiki, 2024 |
| 1 Shilling | 1892 | Varied | £80‑100 est (lot of 5) | Noonans, 2012 |
| 2 Shillings (Florin) | 1892 | Proof 61 NGC | $2,585 | Heritage, 2013 |
| 2½ Shillings | 1896 | F-VF | $250 est (in 3‑coin lot) | Stephen Album, 2024 |
| 5 Shillings (Double Shaft) | 1892 | VF (ex‑mount) | $250 est (in 3‑coin lot) | Stephen Album, 2024 |
| 5 Shillings (Single Shaft) | 1892 | AU53 NGC | High premium | Catawiki, 2024 |
| Lot: 3d, 6d, 1/–, 2/–, 2/6, 5/– (23 coins) | 1892-7 | Mostly VF-EF | £210 | Noonans, 2006 |
Estimated Value Ranges (VF)
- 3 Pence: $20‑30
- 6 Pence: $25‑35
- 1 Shilling: $30‑40
- 2 Shillings (Florin): $35‑50
- 2½ Shillings (Half Crown): $40‑60
- 5 Shillings (Crown, Single Shaft): $800‑1,500+
- 5 Shillings (Crown, Double Shaft): $2,500‑5,000+
Note: Proof examples of any denomination command significant premiums, often 5‑10 times the values listed above.
Variety Notes
- Shillings: The 1892 shilling had a mintage of 129,627 and is considered a key date for the denomination . Later years (1893-1897) had higher mintages and are more common.
- Florins: The 1892 florin had a mintage of approximately 55,000 circulation strikes plus 50-60 proofs .
- Half Crowns: The 1896 half crown is considered a semi-key date with a mintage of 205,480 .
- Crowns: Only the crown exists in both double shaft (KM#8.2) and single shaft (KM#8.1) varieties. The double shaft is significantly rarer .
Sources
- Catawiki. "South Africa. 1 Shilling 1892 VF25, 1894 XF40 ZAR, 2 Coins Lot" (2024)
- Catawiki. "South Africa. 6 Pence 1896 NGC XF40 ZAR" (2024)
- Catawiki. "南非. 5 Shillings 1892 ZAR Kruger Single Shaft NGC AU53" (2024)
- Noonans Mayfair. Auction catalogues: 13 Dec 2006 (Lot 625) ; 1 Oct 2012 (Lot 4091)
- Stephen Album Rare Coins. Auction 39, Lot 1830 (2024)
- Colnect. "South Africa : Coins [Last issue date: 1897 | Face Value: 1]"
- Coin Varieties. "South Africa 1892 2 shillings" (citing Heritage 3026, Oct 2013)
- Coin Archives. "World Coins from Various Properties" (Sep 2024)
- NGC Coin. "South Africa 5 Shillings KM# 8.1 Price Guide"
- Hern, Brian, Bothma, John & Pieterse, Hercie. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns.