Griqua Tokens (c.1815–1816)

Overview

The Griqua tokens were commissioned by the London Missionary Society (LMS) for use at their mission station at Griquatown (formerly Klaarwater) in the Northern Cape. The coins are undated but are generally attributed to c.1815–1816. They are sometimes called "Christian coinage" because of the dove emblem, which was the symbol of the London Missionary Society.

According to the authoritative reference Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns, these coins were first used by the Griqua people in the Klaarwater district near Kimberley and did not circulate for more than two years before being withdrawn and melted down.

The History – Reverend Campbell's Experiment

The Commission

The Griqua were a mixed-race people of European, slave and Khoikhoi (Hottentot) elements. By the second decade of the 19th century, the tribe had settled on land granted to them by the government of the Cape Colony north of the Orange River, close to present-day Kimberley. The Griqua population was about 1,200 .

The Reverend John Campbell of the London Missionary Society believed that coinage could be used as a means to introduce Western civilisation to the Griqua. Apparently at his own expense, Campbell arranged for four denominations of coins to be struck in England. The dies were designed and sunk by Thomas Halliday . It is believed that the first batch was procured in 1815 and a second a year later; but the number of coins in each batch is unknown .

The Circulation Controversy

In 1910, Dr. J.W.B. Gunning, Director of the Transvaal Museum, wrote: "De geschiedenis dezer munten is min of meer in duister gehuld" – the history of these coins is somewhat shrouded in mystery. The exact year of minting, the years they were in use, and the amount circulated are all unknown.

Most evidence suggests they never effectively circulated:

• Missionary Heinrich Helm wrote that the Griqua refused to accept them .
• There was no store or bank to exchange them .
• Griqua leader Waterboer refused them and was paid in rixdollars .
• According to an article published on tokencoins.com, the coins "never circulated in the interior of South Africa between [the years] 1815 to 1820 or at any other time" .
• Historian J.S. Marais, in The Cape Coloured People 1652–1937, makes no mention of any coinage being used in Griqua Town .

The Griqua economy was based on barter and the people had no need for coinage . The large gap in denominated values between the copper and silver coins would have made them impractical for use in trade .

The coinage must have been regarded as a failed experiment and a few years later the coins were gathered together and melted down . A few survived, including trial strikes and proof examples, and these have become valuable and intriguing numismatic pieces .

Specifications

Common Obverse: Emblem of the London Missionary Society – a flying dove with an olive branch in its beak (designed by Thomas Halliday) .

Reverse: The word "GRIQUA" in an arc above, denomination in centre, "TOWN" inverted in an arc below .

Rarity & Auction Records

The Griqua tokens are exceptionally rare. The Numista Rarity Index, which calculates based on collector collections, stands at 97 out of 100 – meaning it is among the rarest items collected .

Selected Auction Results

Collectors should note that genuine examples are extremely rare and command high prices. Certification by NGC or PCGS is recommended for authentication.

2015 Bicentennial Commemoratives

In 2015, the South African Mint and the Gold Reef City Mint (for the National Numismatic Society) issued commemorative coins and medals to mark 200 years of the Griqua Town coinage.

South African Mint Official Issues

The South African Mint, a wholly owned subsidiary of the SARB, launched a commemorative circulation R5 coin and a range of numismatic products . The Griqua Town R5 circulation coin was the fourth commemorative R5 issued since the first bi-metal R5 was introduced in 2004 . It was introduced into circulation from early 2016 .

For collectors, the following numismatic range was made available at Coin World :

Each coin combination was sold with a magnifying glass, symbolising the theme of going back into history and looking deeper into South Africa's coinage heritage . Tumi Tsehlo, Managing Director of the South African Mint, stated: "we are proud to bring to life the country's coinage history with this range that is essentially tells the story of other coins. The 2015 Griqua Town coins are 'coins about coins'" .

National Numismatic Society / Gold Reef City Mint Issue (2015)

The National Numismatic Society, in conjunction with the Gold Reef City Mint, issued a commemorative medal set in 2015 (Laidlaw 1041a). The set was issued at their annual dinner on 5 March 2016 together with a replica set (Laidlaw 1041b) .

The medals come in a heavy oblong wooden fitted case, embossed on the outside of the lid with the image of both sides of the 10 piece and "1815-1816". Souvenirs of off-metal and off-size medallions were given to those attending the dinner .

Postscript: The 1890 Victoria Penny Patterns

In 1890, patterns for a Victoria penny were minted in copper and nickel (KM-X9, Hern-GT21) . These were not issued for circulation but are collected as patterns. A specimen graded SP64 Brown PCGS sold for $1,600 in August 2024 .

Sources

• London Coins Auction 173 (2021)
• South African Mint official press releases (2015–2016)
• Business Tech. "This is what the new R5 coin looks like" (Dec 2015)
• South African Medals website (Laidlaw 1041a)
• Numista – Griqua Town ¼ Penny (1815-1816)
• Heritage Auctions NYINC Signature Sale 3121 (January 2025)
• CoinArchives – various Griqua token auction results
• Nomisma Spa Numismatic Auction 50 (2014)
• Sandton Chronicle. "New Griqua Town coin range revealed" (Dec 2015)
• Marais, J.S. The Cape Coloured People 1652–1937
• Hern, Brian, Bothma, John & Peterse, Hercie. Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns 2017/18 (9th ed.)

Revision History