Catalog
KM#8.2, Hern Z36, Dav-60
Mintage (Double Shaft)
4,357
Single Shaft Mintage
14,000
Weight
28.28g (actual 28.24g recorded)
ASW
0.8410 oz
Rarity
8 (Very rare)
1892 Double Shaft 5 Shillings (Crown)
The only crown‑sized silver coin ever issued by the Zuid‑Afrikaansche Republiek, sharing the double shaft error with the gold Pond and Half Pond. With a mintage of just 4,357, it is a one‑year type and a key rarity of South African numismatics.
The Errors
- "O.S." – Otto Schultz's initials = "ox" in Afrikaans
- Double shaft – wagon with two shafts (correct is one)
- Equal wheels – front/rear same size
- Only silver crown – The ZAR never issued another crown
History
The crown (5 shillings) was the largest silver coin issued by the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and was only minted in 1892 [citation:3][citation:6]. Like the gold Pond and Half Pond of the same year, the crown exists in two varieties: the original "double shaft" error and the corrected "single shaft" version [citation:6].
When the Berlin Mint was informed of the error, the dies for the other denominations were immediately changed accordingly, so only small numbers of the 5-shillings, half pond and pond came into circulation [citation:6]. The 1892 crown is therefore a one-year type and the only crown ever issued by the ZAR [citation:3].
The double shaft variety had a mintage of approximately 4,357 pieces, while the corrected single shaft variety had a higher mintage of 14,000 [citation:3][citation:6][citation:9]. All crowns were struck at the Royal Prussian Mint in Berlin, as the Pretoria Mint was not yet operational in 1892 [citation:6].
The obverse features the bust of President Paul Kruger, with the engraver Otto Schultz's initials "O.S." on the truncation – interpreted in Afrikaans as "os" (ox), adding to the political embarrassment [citation:3]. The reverse shows the ZAR coat of arms that includes the image of a Voortrekker wagon; the error depicts a European style double‑shafted wagon with wheels of the same size, whereas the correct Boer wagon has a single shaft and larger rear wheels [citation:3].
Technical Specifications
Coin Details
- Denomination: 5 Shillings (Crown)
- Year: 1892
- Mint: Royal Prussian Mint, Berlin
- Engraver: Otto Schultz
- Varieties: Double Shaft (KM#8.2) & Single Shaft (KM#8.1)
- Double Shaft Mintage: 4,357 [citation:9]
- Single Shaft Mintage: 14,000 [citation:3][citation:6]
Physical Specifications
- Weight: 28.28g (typical) [citation:9]; actual recorded weight 28.24g [citation:1]
- Diameter: 38-39mm [citation:7][citation:9]
- Composition: .925 Silver (Sterling) [citation:9]
- ASW: 0.8410 oz [citation:9]
- Edge: Reeded [citation:9]
- Orientation: Medal alignment (12h) [citation:7]
Obverse
Bearded bust of President Paul Kruger facing left. Legend: ZUID AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK. Engraver's initials "O.S." on truncation of bust.
Reverse
Oval shield of arms divided in three, lion passant to upper left, Boer with rifle to upper right, ox wagon at bottom with two shafts (double shaft variety) and wheels of same size, with an escutcheon of an upright anchor, all upon frame surmounted by large eagle, overlapping three "vierkleur" flags either side, motto on scroll below EENDRAGT MAAKT MAGT, floral emblems below, legend: 5 SHILLINGS * 1892 * surrounds upper portion [citation:1].
The Single Shaft Variety
The corrected "single shaft" variety (KM#8.1) was struck later in 1892 with the correct wagon design featuring a single shaft and larger rear wheels. It has a higher mintage of approximately 14,000 pieces and is more readily available to collectors [citation:3][citation:6]. Auction records for the single shaft variety typically range from $80 for worn examples to $200-300 for very fine specimens [citation:2][citation:4].
Auction Records
The following table summarizes notable auction results for the 1892 Double Shaft Crown:
| Date | Auction House | Grade | Price Realized | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Heritage (estimate) | PR64 NGC | $8,000–10,000 (est.) | Proof example |
| 2025 | Heritage (estimate) | PR64 PCGS | $8,000–10,000 (est.) | Proof example |
| 2022 | Heritage | PR64 PCGS | $15,600 | Cape Coral Collection |
| 2023 | Spink (Dr Frank Becker Coll.) | Bold very fine | £220 (approx. $267) | 28.24g, polished but lustrous [citation:1] |
| 2017 | Goldberg Auctions | NGC Unc Details (hairlines) | $400–500 (est.) [citation:5] | Light gray tone with underlying luster |
| 2015 | Goldberg Auctions | NGC AU Details (hairlines) | $600–800 (est.) [citation:8] | – |
| 2015 | Bonhams | Extremely fine (light wear) | £324 ($486) [citation:10] | Good rainbow toning |
| 2008 | Noble Numismatics | Nearly extremely fine | $300 (est.) [citation:2] | Toned |
| 2008 | Noble Numismatics | Good very fine | $300 (est.) [citation:2] | Toned |
| 2015 | Noble Numismatics | Cleaned, nearly very fine | $500 (est.) [citation:4] | – |
| 2015 | Noble Numismatics | Repaired, good fine | $400 (est.) [citation:4] | – |
| CNG eAuction 221 | CNG | Good VF, light marks | $725 [citation:7] | 28.26g, 38mm, double shaft |
Note: Proof examples of the double shaft crown are extremely rare and command significant premiums. The $15,600 realized for a PR64 PCGS example in 2022 demonstrates the strong demand for high-grade specimens.
Collector Notes
- Condition: The 1892 crown is often found with light marks or hairlines, as noted in many auction descriptions [citation:5][citation:7][citation:8]. High-grade examples are rare.
- Variety identification: The double shaft variety can be identified by the wagon with two shafts and wheels of equal size. The single shaft variety has a correctly depicted wagon with a single shaft and larger rear wheels.
- Provenance: Notable collections that have included this coin include the Dr Frank Becker Collection [citation:1] and the Cape Coral Collection.
- Mintage discrepancy: Sources vary slightly on the exact mintage: 4,357 is widely cited [citation:9], while Spink noted 4,327 [citation:1]. Both confirm the coin's rarity.
Sources
- Western Cape Numismatic Society. "The ZAR Coinage of 1892" (Pierre H. Nortje, Dec 2023) [citation:6].
- Collectors Society. "My World Crown Affair – 19th Cent, Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek 5 shillings" [citation:3].
- Colnect. "5 Shillings (Double shaft wagon tongue)" KM#8.2 [citation:9].
- Spink Auction 23006 (Dr Frank Becker Collection). Lot 486, 28 Sep 2023 [citation:1].
- Goldberg Auctions. February 2017 Long Beach (#96) Lot 3446 [citation:5].
- Goldberg Auctions. January 2015 Pre Long Beach (#84) Lot 4610 [citation:8].
- Bonhams. "Z.A.R., Five Shillings, 1892" (25 March 2015) Lot 671 [citation:10].
- CNG. Electronic Auction 221, Lot 562 [citation:7].
- Noble Numismatics. World Silver & Bronze auctions [citation:2][citation:4].