Lot 2855

Description

South Africa, East Griqualand, Umzimkulu, Strachan & Co, complete set of sixteen tokens, Type 1, threepence, sixpence, shilling, two shillings, uniface, issued 1874; Type 2, same but 'MH' added, mid 1870s; Type 3, like Type 1 but 'In Goods' added and same design both sides, late 1800s; Type 4, same as Type 3 but die variances, early 1900s (Theron E.G. & T.IX). Fine - good extremely fine and rare. (16)

The Strachan & Co tokens are generally recognised as South Africa's first indigenous coinage and were widely circulated in the East Griqualand district as currency for nearly fifty years. This set was assembled in 1978 by Scott Balson from tokens held in the Strachan & Co vaults at the time he was researching for the book, 'Kence, the trade tokens of Strachan and Co'. Ex Scott Balson Collection.