Pre‑1921 Banknotes

️ Government Paper (1782‑1841)

• 1782 – First paper money issued by Dutch Governor Van Plettenberg.
• 1793 – Lombaard Bank established (first State bank).
• 1825‑1841 – "Red stamp" and "oblong stamp" rixdollar notes. The 40‑rixdollar note of 1831 is unique (South African Public Library).
• J.B. Ebden specimens (late 1820s) – Cape of Good Hope Bank 5s, now in Smithsonian.

Private Banks (1837‑1920)

Approximately 30 private banks. Highlights:

• Cape of Good Hope Bank (1837) – first private bank.
• Stellenbosch Bank (1854) – collapsed after fraud and suicide (1876).
• Stellenbosch District Bank (1882‑1990s) – survivor.
• Wellington Bank – £5 note sold $7,200 (2023).
• Swellendam Bank – £5 note sold $5,520 (2024).
• Malmesbury Agricultural & Commercial Bank – only one PMG‑graded.

ZAR Government Notes (1872‑1902)

• 1872 1 Pond – William Brown, rare ($700‑1,500).
• 1900 issues (Pretoria) – 1, 5, 10, 50 Pounds.
• 1901 1 Pound (Pietersburg).
• 1902 "Te Velde" (in the field) – $200‑400.

⚔️ Siege Notes (1899‑1902)

• Mafeking – 1s, 2s, 3s, 10s, £1. The £1 note (March 1900) is especially sought ($1,000‑2,000).
• Kimberley – archival records survive; notes extremely rare.
• Ladysmith – postal history, diaries; notes extremely rare.
• Green Point Track – POW camp "Good Fors", sets of four £70‑100.
• Diyatalawa (Ceylon) – Boer POW notes, one‑rupee note sold for R28,000 (2022).

Sources

• Hern, Brian. South African Banknotes & Papermoney Pre‑Reserve Bank (2010).
• Bergman, Walter. A History of Regular and Emergency Paper Money Issues of South Africa (1968).
• Noble Numismatics auction archives.
• Heritage Auctions.
• Western Cape Numismatic Society research.

Revision History