Owner Comments:
Finest known estimated at 15 as many re-grades have occurred - especially with the older graded and slabbed patterns.
Orange Free State Patterns (OFS)
History
Before the Burgers Ponde were minted, the Volksraad (Parliament) of the Orange Free State Province
considered the option of metallic coins. In 1887 Otto Nolte and Company in Berlin submitted a quotation
to the Free State for a proposed coin series. It included:
• Crown (5 Shillings)
• Half Crown
• Fifth Crown (1 Shilling)
• Tenth Crown (Sixpence)
• Copper Penny
• Quarter Penny
Six of these patterns were sent to the Government for consideration. The 5 Shillings were minted in silver
and lead, dated 1887. The variations had a counter stamp, B.E.A.C (British East African Company 1888)
below the word ‘KROON’ (means “Crown” in English).
The Orange Free State ‘EEN PENNY’ (One Penny) Reverse bears an Orange Tree and two powder
horns. A very rare variant of this Penny exists. It bears the coat of arms similar to the 1888 coin. The
1888 Penny was minted in silver, bronze, nickel and aluminum. There is a unique 2 PENCE made with
the obverse “EENDRACHT MAAKT MAGT” (Unity is Strength) Transvaal design and having the reverse
showing the Free State Coat of Arms. This is the only coin of its type and considered a mule. None of the
Nolte specimens were ever placed into circulation.