MTB ZAR Pattern coins
Province of the Orange Free State

Owner Comments:

There are two pattern types listed in the Hern's catalogue with variations in size, weight and thickness. There is no change in the design or the metal (Bronze). The obverse is the Coat of Arms of the Orange Free State Province that has three bugles, a orange tree in the middle with the words "Oranje Vrij Staat" written in Dutch. The mint mark at the bottom are of a face and a lion. There is no clear understanding why these two mint marks had been used or if they had been requested.
On the reverse is an oak and laurel branch surrounding the denomination (In Dutch) "Een" one, with the words "Penny" and the date below. At the bottom, in Dutch the wording "Muntspreove" proof mint. The weight between the coins are significant with the lighter coin only weighing 9.74 and the second 24.98 (almost triple the weight of the first). Mintage estimated figures for the lighter coin is estimated at 100 and the thicker coin unknown. Although the book suggests 100 minted. As a collector I have found that the 1874 coin the hardest to acquire thus, in my opinion there are far less than noted in the catalogue. I note that there is one higher grade but in the RD colour only 2 graded.