The Griqua Coin was supposedly originally created as currency for the people of Griqua Town in 1815 which is near Kimberley, the epicentre of the diamond mining industry at the time. However, according to an article published on tokencoins.com, the coins ‘never circulated in the interior of South Africa between [the years] 1815 to 1820 or at any other time.’ The article states that the coins were in fact failed tokens that the Griqua refused to accept. This is also stated in the book The Cape Coloured People 1652 – 1937’ by J S Marais, who was Professor of History at the University of the Witwatersrand, makes no mention of any coinage being used in Griqua Town.
The new Griqua Town R5 coin will hold the same value as the existing R5 coins that are currently in circulation.
When it was introduced in 1815, the Griqua Town coin series consisted of a five and 10pence piece made of silver, as well as a half and quarter pence piece made of copper. The common obverse of the four coins featured the emblem of the London Missionary Society – a flying dove with an olive branch in its beak. The reverse of each coin featured the words ‘Griqua Town’ and the denomination of the coin.
The latest Griqua Town numismatic range depicts these various elements from the original coin designs – a replica dove with an olive branch in its beak, the words ‘Griqua Town’ and the numeral five portrayed as five single lines. The idea of taking a closer look at the history of our coinage and magnifying the intricate detail is symbolised by the magnifying glass that one receives with each coin purchase.
Tumi Tsehlo, managing director of the South African Mint Company stated, “We are proud to bring to life the country’s coinage history with this range that essentially tells the story of other coins. The 2015 Griqua Town coins are ‘coins about coins’.”
These coins will be available at the South African Mint’s retail outlet, Coin World, or by special order.
Details: www.samint.co.za; 012 677 2482 or e-mail numismatics@samint.co.za
