CVC & Collectables presents the Griquatown bronze pattern 1 Penny dated 1890, struck in Germany as a salesman-sample to solicit minting contracts. Certified NGC MS 62 BN, it exhibits vivid blue-violet iridescence over copper-brown surfaces with sharp detail.
Token Highlights:
- Issuer: Griquatown (pre-Union South Africa)
- Type / Date: Pattern Penny, 1890 (trial issue; not for circulation)
- Catalog: X#8; Hern GT20 (prev. KM Pn5)
- Metal / Specs: Bronze • 10.63 g • 30.99 mm • 2.16 mm
- Edge / Alignment: Plain • Coin ↑↓
- Obverse: Young “bun-head” Queen Victoria left; legend VICTORIA D: G: BRITTANIAR: REG: F: D:
- Reverse: London Missionary Society emblem—dove with olive branch; legend ★ ★ ★ GRIQUA TOWN ★ ★ ★; 1890 below
- Engraver / Maker: Wolfgang (L. Chr.) Lauer, Nürnberg; marketed by Otto Nolte & Co., Berlin
- Grade: NGC MS 62 BN — bright, multicolor patina with bold devices
Scarcity & Importance:
- Extremely scarce pattern. Contemporary and later research suggests tiny trial outputs—about 100 dated and ~50 undated pieces struck, with survival far lower.
- Mint State examples are decidedly rare; many survivors show handling or environmental effects from cabinet storage.
- A keystone for collections of South African patterns, Victorian portrait trial pieces, and missionary/colonial exonumia.
