South Africa: Republic gold "Coarse Beard" Burgers Pond 1874 MS65 NGC,...

Description

Astounding Gem "Coarse Beard" Burgers Pond

Republic gold "Coarse Beard" Burgers Pond 1874 MS65 NGC, Heaton mint, KM1.1, Hern-B2. Mintage of just 142 according to Hern. By Leonard Wyon. Coarse beard variety. A doubled digit "8" is evident on the date. Enumerating among the finest known specimens of this highly scarce variant, the present specimen boasts a pronounced strike on both its portrait and reverse shield. A coin marked by wired rims and a reflective sheen of luster, accented by subtle golden hues. In natural light, it is absolutely enchanting. Light wisps and friction abrasions are present, yet there is a remarkable absence of any singularly significant detracting marks. Despite the minor issues, the portrait has sustained its luster and is without adjustment lines, marking it as truly remarkable. This astounding survivor is currently the sole second-finest certified and surpassed by just one example at NGC, and unmatched at PCGS census.

Thomas François Burgers (1834-1881), an erudite liberal Afrikaner churchman, strove for the ZAR's progress, which made him a contentious figure among the conservatives led by S.J.P. Kruger. His decision to distribute 50 examples of this coin to the members of the Volksraad (legislature) sparked severe controversy, and he was accused of overstepping his executive authority and revealing an unchecked personal hubris by neglecting to consult the Volksraad before initiating the coinage. His harshest critics claimed that he broke the Old Testament's ban on graven images. As the turbulence abated, any future coinage was mandated to be sanctioned by the Volksraad beforehand. The coins in possession were made available to the public at two Pounds each.

Under Burgers' leadership, the government faltered, with a native uprising mishandled and financial affairs remaining in disarray. Burgers' administration was supplanted by the British annexation under Sir Theophilus Shepstone in April 1877. The ZAR's independence was reclaimed after the first Anglo-Boer War, with Afrikaner rebels led by Paul Kruger triumphing over the British. Soon after, the Burgers Pond emerged as a coveted rarity, pressing a great demand among South African and Commonwealth coin collectors alike.

The President Burgers' gold Transvaal patterns stand tall among the world's most elusive gold coins. They are indeed the earliest versions of Pond (Pound or Sovereign) minted from indigenous South African gold. Although the off-metal patterns, cited by Hern on page 386 of his reference, are quite rare in their own right, those struck in gold endured a fate that was generally worse than those created of bronze, brass, aluminum, or silver. The larger portion of the gold pieces ended up as keepsakes shortly after their production, and were unfortunately disfigured when incorporated into jewelry. Of poignant note, the "Coarse Beard" with a mintage of just 142 pieces is a distinctly separate variety of the "Fine Beard" style, which had a substantially larger reported mintage of 695 examples.

From the Gatsby Collection

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 22mm
Weight: 7.988g
AGW: 0.2352oz
Mintage: 174

More information about South African Coins. See also: South Africa World Coin Nationality.



Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from NGC