1900 Kruger Pond Single Shaft

The highest mintage 1900 Kruger Pond but it is still difficult to find in any grade. As majority of coins minted in this year (1900) were dated 1898.

1900 Pond Forgeries

The above and below photos are a Fake 1900 Kruger Pond also known as the Perfect Fake as it is supposed to be better than the original. It is very noticeable as at first it just looks so good. However on closer inspection the reverse is not central in the die and the top half of the coin is missing. Where the Perfect Fake gets its name from is the eagles chest is perfect, even better than the 1892 Kruger Pond.

Please note I have recently seen a KZN coins dealer (South Africa) selling a Perfect Fake with the Eagle worn away. It was better than the Pittman MS65 1900 Kruger Pond. He either knows nothing about coins or is a crook as he sold a 1900 Pond that was clearly a fake or a MS69 Kruger Pond for under R10K.

However not all is lost if you have bought a fake Kruger pond. It is an important part of South Africa ZAR coin history. The dies where "removed from the Mint" and worked on. The resultant 1900 Kruger Pond coins were originally passed off as the new found Kruger millions. At some point it was found out that they were in fact forgeries of the "Loaned out dies". The culprits were caught and dealt with.

I would pay no more than gold value for one of these coins, but it is needed to complete the ZAR set.

Some dealers call these coins restrikes. A restrike has to be with the original dies with the permission of the mint. Clearly the Mint did not authorize these coins hence can never be called a restrike period. Any dealer calling these coins restrike's is dishonest. There is a reason why it is called the "Perfect Fake"

The Eagles breast on the 1900 Perfect Fake.