Planchet Errors
Clipped, lamination, wrong planchet, off-metal
Die Errors
Cracks, breaks, doubled dies, overdates, cuds
Strike Errors
Off-center, broadstrike, double strike, brockage, indents, strike-through
Legendary SA Errors
1899 Single 9 Pond, Sammy Marks Tickey, 1989 R2 overstrike
Error Coin Encyclopedia
A comprehensive catalog of known minting errors in South African coinage – from ZAR overdates to modern mint mistakes. Error coins are among the most popular segments of numismatics, and South Africa, due to relatively low mintage figures, offers exceptionally challenging and rewarding error collecting opportunities .
Legendary SA Errors
- 1899 "Single 9" Pond – Unique, R20 million+
- 1898 Sammy Marks Tickey – Off-metal gold on silver planchet
- 1989 R2 overstrike on 10c planchet – Unique, one in 66 million
- 1892 Double Shaft & "OS" – Design errors that nearly cost Kruger the election
Understanding Mint Errors
Error coins are fascinating because they were planned and authorized to be minted, yet through some malfunction, they escaped quality control . Errors are typically classified into three main categories based on where in the minting process they occur: planchet errors (problems with the blank before striking), die errors (problems with the dies themselves), and strike errors (problems during the striking process) .
South Africa, due to lower mintage figures compared to major world mints, produces relatively few error coins, making authenticated examples particularly valuable to collectors .
Planchet Errors
Planchet errors originate in the preparation of the blank disc before it is struck by the dies.
Clipped Planchet
A crescent-shaped missing section caused when the blanking punch overlaps a previously punched hole. Minor clips (5-10%) add 25-50% premium; major clips (20%+) command 100-200% premium. Occasional on ZAR silver and modern circulation coins.
Lamination
Flaking or peeling of metal due to impurities or gas trapped in the alloy. Reduces value unless dramatically extensive.
Wrong Planchet / Wrong Stock
A coin struck on a planchet intended for another denomination. Extremely rare. The 1989 R2 overstrike on a 10c planchet is a prime South African example . Another example: a 1991 Rand struck on a 1c planchet (1.5g) graded NGC MINT ERROR MS 64 BN .
Off-Metal Strikes
Struck on a planchet of the wrong metal composition. The legendary 1898 Sammy Marks Tickey (gold 3d struck with silver dies, mintage 215) is the most famous South African example, with values ranging from $15,000 to $80,000 depending on condition.
Unplated Planchet
A 1998 2c struck on an unplated planchet (usually plated with copper) graded NGC MINT ERROR MS 67 is extremely rare .
Kaalponde (Bare Pounds)
Unstruck gold blanks that circulated as emergency currency during the Boer War. Rimmed and rimless varieties exist.
Die Errors
Die errors occur when the dies themselves are defective or become damaged during the minting process.
Die Cracks
Raised lines on the coin caused by cracks in the die. Common on late-state ZAR dies. Minor cracks add little value.
Die Break (Cud)
A raised blob of metal where a piece of the die has broken away. Rare and collectible.
Doubled Die
Design elements appear doubled due to misalignment during the hubbing process. Some ZAR silver varieties show subtle doubling.
Overdated Dies
A new date punched over an old one on the die. The most famous South African example is the 1899/8 Pond overdate, including the legendary "Single 9" Pond where a single '9' was punched over an '8' .
Design Errors
The 1892 ZAR coins featured two significant design errors: Otto Schultz's initials "OS" (Afrikaans for "ox") and the incorrect double-shaft wagon with equally sized wheels, which nearly cost President Kruger the 1893 election . These are collected as varieties rather than mint errors.
Tagged Ear Variety
A 1966 1 Rand Afrikaans version with a distinctive "tagged ear" variety, graded NGC AU Details, is an example of a die variety error ].
Strike Errors
Strike errors occur during the actual striking of the coin when something disrupts the normal minting process .
Off-Center Strike
Occurs when a planchet is not properly centered between the dies, leaving part of the design missing . South African examples include a 1987 1c struck 15% off-center (NGC MS 64 RB) and a 1992 1c struck 5% off-center (NGC MS 64 BN) . 10-20% off-center: 50-100% premium; 40%+: 300-500% premium.
Broadstrike
When the collar fails, allowing the coin to spread wider than normal. Examples: a 1995 Rand (NGC MS 66) and a 1976 20c President Fouche (NGC AU 53) .
Double / Multi-Strike
When a coin fails to eject and is struck again . Extremely rare; 500-1000%+ premium.
Brockage
A mirror-image incuse design caused by a previously struck coin sticking to a die and imprinting onto subsequent planchets. Very rare.
Indents
Occurs when two planchets are fed into the collar simultaneously, with one partly covering the other. A very rare type occurs when planchets of different denominations are involved .
Strike-Through Error
When a foreign object (grease, wire, metal fragments) comes between the die and the planchet . A 1980 Krugerrand with a strike-through error graded NGC Mint Error MS 66 sold at Heritage Auctions .
Die Adjustment Strike
Also known as a die trial, an extremely weak strike produced while adjusting press pressure. These are typically destroyed and rarely found in circulation .
Uniface Strike
When two planchets are in the press simultaneously, each receives only half the design .
Rotated Dies
One die is misaligned relative to the other. Common among South African errors found in pocket change .
Edge Errors
Edge designs are pressed into the blank before striking. Errors can occur due to faulty die fabrication, die damage, or faulty transfer of the design . A 10.5-gram copper-nickel planchet of unknown origin carries the recessed security edge design (SARB R5) of a South African 5-rand coin (2004-present). A normal 5-rand coin weighs 9.4g and is ringed-bimetallic, so this planchet would constitute an "edge design mule" had it been struck .
ZAR Era Errors (1892–1902)
1899/8 Pond Overdate
Scarce variety where the final '9' was punched over an '8'. Values range from $3,000–6,000 depending on condition.
"Single 9" Pond
The most famous South African error coin – unique, created when a single '9' was punched over an '8' on an 1898 die. Sold for approximately R20 million (2010) .
1892 Double Shaft Error
Technically a design error rather than a mint error, but collected as a variety. The Berlin Mint incorrectly depicted the wagon with two shafts and equally sized wheels instead of the correct single shaft with large rear wheels . The double shaft version was quickly withdrawn, making it scarcer than the corrected version .
OS Initials Error
Designer Otto Schultz placed his initials "OS" on the shoulder of the Kruger bust – unfortunately "os" means "ox" in Afrikaans, causing political embarrassment .
Sammy Marks Tickey
An off-metal strike – a gold 3d tickey struck with silver dies. Mintage of 215 pieces, values range from $15,000–80,000 depending on condition and provenance.
Modern Era Errors (1961–present)
1989 R2 Overstrike on 10c Planchet
Unique error discovered by John Mulder. Struck on a 10c nickel planchet nine years after the 10c was discontinued. Escaped Mint quality control, circulated, and was found on a beach with a metal detector. Described as the decimal equivalent of the 1899 Single 9 Pond .
1991 Rand on 1c Planchet
A 1991 Rand struck on a 1c planchet (1.5g) graded NGC MINT ERROR MS 64 BN .
1998 2c on Unplated Planchet
A 1998 2c struck on an unplated planchet (normally copper-plated) graded NGC MINT ERROR MS 67 – extremely rare .
Broadstruck Errors (1976, 1995)
1976 20c President Fouche broadstruck (NGC AU 53) and 1995 Rand broadstruck (NGC MS 66) .
Off-Center Strikes (1987, 1992, 1993, 1977)
Various off-center errors: 1987 1c (15% off, NGC MS 64 RB), 1992 1c (5% off, NGC MS 64 BN), 1993 Rand (5% off, NGC MS 62), 1977 Rand (5% off, NGC MS 61) .
1987 Pattern Aluminium 5 Cent
A unique 1987 5c struck in aluminium – possibly a pattern testing alternative metals during the nickel price crisis of the 1980s. This is the only South African pattern or trial strike coin with a minting error known to exist .
Bilingual Varieties (1965–1969)
Two language versions per year; alternative-language proofs are extremely rare (e.g., 1965 20c Afrikaans proof – only one known).
Color Errors (Birds & Flowers Series)
Misregistration or missing color applications – extremely rare.
Error Coin Value Guide
Values are highly dependent on the dramatic nature of the error, condition, and rarity. The following are general guidelines based on market data:
| Error Type | Typical Premium | South African Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Minor clip (5–10%) | 25–50% | Various circulation coins |
| Major clip (20%+) | 100–200% | ZAR silver, modern base metal |
| Off-center (10–20%) | 50–100% | 1987 1c 15% off-center |
| Off-center (40%+) | 300–500% | Extremely rare in SA |
| Broadstrike | 200–400% | 1976 20c, 1995 Rand |
| Double strike | 500–1000%+ | Extremely rare |
| Wrong planchet | 1000–5000%+ | 1991 Rand on 1c planchet, 1989 R2 overstrike |
| Off-metal strike | 5000–50000%+ | Sammy Marks Tickey ($15,000–80,000) |
| Unique errors | Priceless / auction value | 1899 Single 9 Pond (R20M), 1989 R2 overstrike |
Why Collect Error Coins?
Error coins are fascinating because they were planned and authorized to be minted, yet through some malfunction, they made it through quality control . South Africa, due to lower mintage figures, offers exceptionally challenging error collecting – it is very rare to find a coin minted on an incorrect planchet material . Most errors found in pocket change are rotated dies and die strikes .
Sources
- NGC Coin Grading. "Mint Error Coin Chronicles: Strike-through Errors" (April 2024)
- NGC Coin Grading. "Learn Grading: What Is a Mint Error? — Part 2" (November 2019)
- Collectors Society. "morganthebrave error coins" – NGC-certified South African error coins ]
- CoinWeek. "South African Collector Coin Series"
- Coin World. "Edging errors: Collectors' Clearinghouse"
- MoneyToday. "Most Wanted Old South African Coins for Cash (2025)"
- Bob Shop. "1987 Pattern Aluminium 5 Cent Coin"
- NGC Registry. "ZAR POND 1874-1902, Circulation issue"
- The Scoin Shop. "The ZAR Collection"
- Levine, Elias. The Coinage and Counterfeits of the Zuid‑Afrikaansche Republiek (1974)