Catalog
KM#9.1, Hern Z38, Fr-3
Circulation Mintage
~10,000
Proof Mintage
~20
Mint
Royal Prussian Mint, Berlin
Weight
3.994g
AGW
0.1176 oz
1892 Double Shaft Half Pond
The smaller denomination version of the double shaft disaster, sharing the same errors and an even lower mintage. Struck in Berlin by Otto Schultz, the half pond is significantly rarer than its full pond counterpart, especially in high grades.
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
- Proof mintage: Approximately 20 pieces
History
Although a lease had been granted in 1891 to the Nationale Bank of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek to establish a state mint in Pretoria, President Kruger was anxious to get new coins into circulation and placed an order with the Royal Prussian mint at Berlin. The task of engraving the dies was assigned to Otto Schultz (1848-1911), the Berliner who had enjoyed a varied career working with the Loos medallic business in the city and with L.C. Wyon at the Royal Mint, London, before joining the Berlin mint as Second Medallist under Emil Weigand (1837-1906).
Initially Schultz engraved the ox-wagon on the three largest denominations with two shafts, instead of the single shaft of the disselboom [wagon with a single pole] represented in the arms of the Republic. This, and the fact that Schultz placed his initials below the bust of Kruger, which were interpreted in Afrikaans as "os" (ox), meant that the first shipment of coins from Berlin were ill-received in the Republic. On Kruger's orders the dies were altered and it was not until 1893 that the new Pretoria mint started striking 1892-dated coins from Berlin-prepared dies .
Of the first shipment of coins from Berlin, the half pond had a mintage of approximately 10,000 circulation strikes plus an additional 20 proof examples, making it one of the key rarities of the ZAR series.
Technical Specifications
Coin Details
- Denomination: ½ Pond
- Year: 1892
- Mint: Royal Prussian Mint, Berlin
- Engraver: Otto Schultz
- Circulation Mintage: ~10,000
- Proof Mintage: ~20
- Catalog: KM#9.1, Hern Z38, Fr-3
Physical Specifications
- Weight: 3.994g
- Diameter: 19.00mm
- Thickness: 1.55mm
- Composition: .9167 Gold (22 carat) + Copper
- AGW: 0.1176 oz
- Edge: Reeded
Obverse
Bearded bust of President Paul Kruger facing left, "O.S." artist initials raised on truncation. Legend: ZUID AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK.
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 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, ½ POND * 1892 * surrounds upper portion, stops are mullets.
The 1892 Proof Half Pond
Approximately 20 proof examples of the 1892 half pond were struck at the Berlin Mint. These proofs are of the highest rarity and command significant premiums. A PR63 Cameo example sold for £70,000 in 2010 . The proof strikes feature deeply mirrored fields, a crisp impression of the proofing dies, squared-off rims with wire edges, and the delicate orange-peel texture characteristic of proofs .
Auction Records
The following table summarizes notable auction results for the 1892 Double Shaft Half Pond:
| Date | Auction House | Grade | Price Realized | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | St. James's Auctions 100 | MS63 NGC | $1,500 | Certified and graded by NGC as Mint State 63 |
| 2022 | Randburg Coin (fixed price) | AU58 NGC (set with Pond) | R75,000 (~$4,000) | Paired with 1892 Double Shaft Pond in NGC AU58 |
| Jan 2022 | Heritage 3098 | MS62 NGC | Not disclosed | A very conditionally sensitive issue preserved close to choice |
| Auction 134 | London Coins | UNC (Lustrous) | £2,200 | Scarce thus |
| Auction 148 | London Coins | AU/Unc | £1,250 | Scarce thus |
| 2011 | Noonans (Dr George de Bruin Coll.) | Practically as struck | £900 | Marked in obverse field, otherwise fine |
| 29 Sep 2010 | Noonans | PF63 Cameo NGC | £70,000 | Proof, about 20 struck; hammer price £70,000 (approx. $91,000) |
| 28 Sep 2006 | Noonans | PR63CAM PCGS | Part of proof set (£65,000 for 9 coins) | Included in the Hohmann 1892 Proof Set |
| Auction 153 | London Coins | VF | £320 | Standard circulation grade |
| Auction 171 | London Coins | Fine | £240 | One-year type |
| Auction 185 | London Coins | Fine | £280 | Reverse slightly better |
Sources
- Noonans Mayfair. "Lot 1426, 29 September 2010" – Proof 63 Cameo Half Pond
- Noonans Mayfair. "Important British and World Coins, 28 September 2006" – 1892 Proof Set
- Heritage Auctions. "South Africa: Republic gold 'Double Shaft' 1/2 Pond 1892 MS62 NGC" (Jan 2022)
- London Coins. Auction archives (various)
- St. James's Auctions. Auction 100, 15 January 2025, Lot 320
- Randburg Coin. "1892 ZAR Double Shaft Gold Pond and Half Pond – Fantastic Friday Offer" (Jul 2022)
- CoinArchives. Various auction results
- Hern, Brian. The Standard Catalogue of South African Coins, Medals and Tokens