Major Repositories
10+
Search Strategies
Step‑by‑step
Handling Guidelines
Do's and don'ts
Citation Format
Examples
Research Guide: How to Use Archives and Libraries
A practical guide for conducting numismatic research in South Africa's major archives and libraries – from preparation to citation.
Key Principles
- Define your research question
- Contact archivists in advance
- Handle materials with care
- Cite sources properly
Getting Started
- Define your research question – what coin, period, document type, institution?
- Preliminary research – check published sources (Hern, Levine), auction catalogs, online databases.
- What to bring – laptop, pencils (no pens!), camera, gloves, list of call numbers, ID, letter of introduction (if academic).
Major Repositories
National Archives of South Africa
Pretoria. Government records, ZAR archives, colonial administration. Free registration, photo ID required.
South African Reserve Bank Archives
Pretoria. Bank records, currency production. By appointment only; research proposal needed.
South African Mint Museum / Coin World
Centurion. Coins, medals, dies, Oom Paul Press. Free admission, guided tours.
Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History
Pretoria. ZAR coins, tokens, medals.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Cullen Library – Africana, rare books, siege collections, Levine reference, gold standard archives.
Berlin Münzkabinett
Berlin, Germany. ZAR dies, wax models, trial strikes. Research access available; online catalog searchable.
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC. Ebden specimens, Burgerspond.
British Museum
London. ZAR and Union coinage.
🔍 Search Strategies
- Keyword searching – e.g., "Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek", "Kruger pond", "Mafeking siege", "Pretoria Mint".
- Use finding aids – collection summaries, box lists, series descriptions.
- Cross‑reference – names, institutions, events.
- Contact archivists – email in advance; they can confirm holdings, pre‑retrieve materials.
Requesting Materials
- In‑person requests: register, search catalog, submit request slips (limited per day), wait 10–60 minutes.
- Online requests: some archives allow pre‑ordering (National Archives, Wits Aeon system).
- What you can request: government records, mint records, personal papers, coins/medals (in museums).
Handling Guidelines
Do's
- Wash hands before handling
- Use pencil only
- Support bound volumes properly
- Ask if unsure
- Use weights to hold pages
Don'ts
- Eat or drink
- Use pen
- Force books flat
- Touch photographs directly
- Re‑shelve yourself
For coins/medals: wear cotton gloves, hold by edges, use padded trays, never clean.
Photography and Copies
- Flash usually prohibited – can damage documents/coins.
- Personal use usually allowed, publication requires permission.
- Fees: self‑service photography (free), photocopies R2–5 per page, scans R50–200 per image.
- Digitization requests available (for a fee) if you can't visit.
Citing Sources
Archives: Repository, Collection, Series, File/Volume, Item.
Example: National Archives of South Africa, ZAR Government Archives, Mint Records, Vol. 42, Letter from President Kruger to Otto Schultz, 15 May 1892.
Museum objects: Museum, Collection, Catalog Number, Description.
Example: Smithsonian National Museum of American History, National Numismatic Collection, NU48250, 1874 Burgerspond, Fine Beard variety.
Online Resources
- National Archives Database – nationalarchives.gov.za (catalogue only)
- Berlin Münzkabinett Online – ikmk.smb.museum
- British Museum Collection Online – britishmuseum.org/collection
- Smithsonian Collections – collections.si.edu
- Google Books / Internet Archive – public domain numismatic texts
- NGC Coin / PCGS CoinFacts – population reports, auction records
- CoinArchives – auction results database
- Colnect / Numista – community catalogs
Sample Research Project: Tracing a Burgerspond
- Consult Hern for basic info (mintage 142).
- Search auction archives (CoinArchives) for recent sales.
- Note auction records: Schulman 2025 (€50,000), Heritage 2013 ($128,500).
- Check if coin appears in Levine (1974).
- Contact Smithsonian: do they hold the coin? (They hold three.)
- Search Wits archives for correspondence about Burgerspond.
- Email Berlin Münzkabinett: any Burgerspond material?
- Compile provenance chain.