Engraver
Otto Schultz (1848–1911)
Coins Struck
All 1892 gold, most silver
Dies Preserved
Berlin Münzkabinett
Oom Paul Press
Berlin 1891 – Retired 2024
The Berlin Mint Connection
How Prussian precision shaped South Africa's first coinage – from Otto Schultz's dies to the Oom Paul press. A story of art, politics, and a near-election disaster.
Key Facts
- Berlin struck all 1892 ZAR gold & most silver
- Schultz's "O.S." almost cost Kruger the election
- Münzkabinett holds original wax models & dies
- Oom Paul press retired 2024 after 132 years
Why Berlin? A Political Imperative
In 1891, with the Pretoria Mint still under construction and the crucial 1893 presidential election looming, President Paul Kruger urgently needed coins to demonstrate the Republic's sovereignty. He contracted the Royal Prussian Mint (Kaisermünze) in Berlin to strike the first coins. The choice was strategic – a deliberate counterweight to British influence.
The contract included all denominations: gold Pond and Half Pond, silver from Crown to 3d, and bronze Penny.
At the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the new National Bank and Mint buildings on 6 July 1892, a lead casket containing a gold Pond, Half Pond, and a silver Crown was placed behind it. President Kruger's speech referred to these as "the coins of this Republic issued to date," suggesting the smaller denominations were not yet in circulation.
Otto Schultz (1848–1911) – The Man Behind the Design
The engraver responsible for all ZAR dies was a seasoned Berlin artist. Schultz trained at the Loos medallic business, crucially worked with L.C. Wyon at the Royal Mint in London (gaining insight into British minting traditions), and became Second Medallist at the Berlin Mint under Emil Weigand.
- The "O.S." Controversy: His initials on the early 1892 issues caused a political firestorm ("os" = ox in Afrikaans). Political opponents used it to ridicule Kruger, and it nearly cost him the 1893 election, which he won by a narrow margin.
- Lasting Legacy: Despite the initial furore, his portrait of Kruger endures – it is still used on the Krugerrand today.
- Berlin's Archive: The Berlin Münzkabinett preserves his original wax models, offering a unique insight into his creative process.
Dies, Mintages, and the Double-Shaft Affair
- Mint Attribution: According to historian J.T. Becklake's figures, all 1892-dated gold Ponde, Half Ponde, and Pennies were struck in Berlin. The silver Crown (5 Shillings), Half-Crown, Sixpence, and Threepence were also entirely Berlin products. The Pretoria Mint, in its first year, only struck a portion of the Florins (2 Shillings) and Shillings – and possibly not until late 1892.
- Die Preparation: All master and working dies were prepared in Berlin and shipped to Pretoria. Berlin continued to supply dies even after the Pretoria Mint opened in 1893.
- The Double-Shaft Withdrawal: After the "O.S./double shaft" controversy, as many of the offending Pond, Half Pond, and Silver Crown as possible were withdrawn from circulation and melted down. Corrected versions (single shaft, no initials) were issued later in 1892 from new Berlin-made dies.
Open Question: Was the gold used to strike these Berlin-made coins shipped from the Transvaal or sourced in Germany? This remains a fascinating historical mystery. See our new research page: The Gold Behind the Coins.
️ Berlin Münzkabinett – A Living Archive
The former Prussian mint's die archive, now part of the Berlin Münzkabinett, holds an extraordinary collection that goes far beyond coins:
- Wax Models: Original wax models by Otto Schultz for the ZAR coinage.
- Master Dies & Working Dies: The very tools used to produce the coins.
- Contemporary Specimens: Coins acquired at the time of striking, such as Object 18217925, an 1892 2½ Shillings acquired in 1892 (accession 1892/987).
- Online Catalog: ikmk.smb.museum – research access is available.
The Oom Paul Press – A 132-Year Legacy
In 1891, President Kruger ordered two mint presses from Ludw. Loew & Co. in Berlin. One became the famous "Oom Paul" press. Its career is unparalleled:
- 1892–1902: Struck the first ZAR coins.
- 1923–1960: Minted Union of South Africa coinage.
- 1967: Struck the first Krugerrands.
- 2024: The South African Mint announced its retirement after 132 years of continuous service. To commemorate this, special edition 1 oz and ¼ oz Krugerrands were struck on the press, featuring a privy mark of the press itself and the date 1892.
See the dedicated Oom Paul Press page for the full story.
Sources
- Berlin Münzkabinett online catalog (ikmk.smb.museum).
- Western Cape Numismatic Society research (P.H. Nortje).
- Noonans and Heritage auction archives.
- South African Mint press releases (2024).
- Becklake, J.T. – mintage research.