Auction Name: 2026 January 12 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction - New York

Lot Number: 34312

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/3129*34312

Republic gold "Veld" Pond 1902 MS65 NGC, Pilgrims Rest mint, KM11, Hern-Z54. The reported mintage stands at 986 pieces for this variety, featuring a notable slash to the upper left of its obverse. This fantastic and unique issue's existence can be traced back to the significant and hard-fought Second Boer War; these pieces were struck out of necessity by Boer forces as they retreated from the British, primarily to pay their soldiers. Created under challenging circumstances, their production occurred in the "veld" or "field," with a makeshift mint established in the bush at Pilgrims Rest. The task of creating the dies fell to P.J. Kloppers, a former school teacher with no professional experience as a die sinker. Kloppers chose a simple yet meaningful design: an assertive "ZAR" monogram displaying the date on the obverse, and the denomination on the reverse, producing one of the simplest yet most distinctive coin types of the 20th century. With a captivating honeyed patina ignited by limitless mint luster, it is evident that this coin was treasured in a sophisticated collection for decades. A slightly off-center strike adds character and in no way detracts from the exceptional aesthetic excellence of the piece, which remains virtually as struck and utterly brilliant. A standout piece from this collection, which is saying a lot when the Gatsby name is being invoked.

Much discussion has been devoted as to exactly where the Veld Ponds were minted. It is possible that the creation of the blanks was done in one location, while the final coining occurred in another. Validated facts show that a commanding general of the Boer troops requested the coins, that the republic's acting president authorized their production, and that a Mr. P.J. Kloppers, a former school teacher, was employed to create the coin dies on site to produce pieces acceptable to the troops. Masterfully simple, Kloppers' design effectively communicated the desired message, featuring the "ZAR" initials, indicative of the republic, with the date below, and on the other side, a straightforward indication of value. Pure 24-karat gold was melted and cast into blanks, which were shaped into currency using a manually operated lathe. Single obverse dies were engraved, with one becoming notched, resulting in the celebrated "slash" variety witnessed in this lot.
From the Gatsby Collection

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