A rare AU58-graded coarse beard 1874 South African Republic Burgers pond coin is valued at $60,000-70,000 ahead of a sale at Heritage Auctions in Long Beach on September 3-10.
President Thomas Burgers (1834-1881) decided to create the new nation's first indigenous currency after the discovery of the gold fields in the Transvaal.
 Thomas Burgers was president of the South African Republic between 1872 and 1877 |
It was minted in England and displays an image of Burger himself. This proved divisive among the settler community, many of who were deeply religious and objected to this show of pride.
Around 695 of the more common fine bearded variety were struck (they show a very slight variation in the texture of his beard). Only 174 coarse haired examples were made.
Unfortunately for Burgers, the issue never took off. Few of the coins are known to have survived in good condition.
Heritage reports that most of these "were turned into jewellery or kept as pocket-pieces, so the fact that any remain in this designation or better is truly a rare occurrence."
One example sold for ?�216,000 ($345,926) at Dix Noonan Webb in London in 2011.
Other lots include the finest known Charles II Elephant & Castle half crown, which is valued at $40,000-50,000.
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