1874 Burgers Pond (Coarse Beard)

Burgers Pond - Coarse Beard

Website: http://www.southcapecoins.co.za

Year: 1874

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Coin: Burgers Pond - Coarse Beard

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Diameter: 22mm

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Mass: 7,988 grammes

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Edge: Milled

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Designer: L.C.Wyon

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Metal Content: Gold 916,67 /Copper 83,33

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Mintage Figure: 142

 

Obverse

Design:

President Thomas F. Burgers

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Inscription:

THOMAS FRANCOIS BURGERS

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Remarks:

This coin is distinguishable from the fine beard variety by the figure 8 in the date, which seems to have been double struck.

 

Reverse

Design:

Z.A.R. Coat of Arms in oval shape, with eagle & flags

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Inscription:

ZUID AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK

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Remarks:

N/A

 

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A Brief History

In 1874 the South African government, under President Thomas Francois Burgers, decided to have coins minted to the same value as the English sovereign. Ralph Heaton & Sons of Birmingham coined 837 Ponde/Pounds using alluvial gold from the Lydenburg district. The first 695 pieces were struck with a single pair of dies, after which the obverse die broke, and the final 142 pieces were struck with a new obverse die, but with the same reverse die. The first person to notice a difference in striking was Mr. A.J. Ellis of Johannesburg in 1944. The two types are the fine beard and the coarse beard. The most important differences between the obverses of these two varieties are that the coarse beard has coarser points to the beard, and that the 8 of the date 1874 appears to have been double struck. This double struck effect is due to a flaw on the die itself.