South Africa, Schalk Burger, Veld Pond, 1902 (Hern Z54; KM 11; F 4). Engraved on reverse in three lines ‘D. Graham, Staats Munt, te Velse’, mounted with top loop, a little pitted, otherwise very fine and UNIQUE [slabbed SANGS Genuine] £8,000-£10,000

Diderikus (Dick) Graham (b. 1861) was a blacksmith who was skilled at the melting and pouring of gold. For his efforts in manufacturing the Veld ponds he was paid with five coins; later captured by the British, he became a miner after the Boer War. A photograph of him and his fellow “minters” features in Engelbrecht’s Money in South Africa, p. 81.

A total of 986 were made.