1874 Coarse Beard Burgers Ponde
*Most knowledgeable collectors have this mintage as 142. Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler have the mintage as 174.
Also known as the Burgers Staatsponde.
These coins were delivered on 18 August 1874 to Mr J.J. Pratt, the Consul General for the ZAR government in London, and dispatched to the Transvaal on 20 September 1874.
The Fine Beard has a sharp 8 in the date 1874 and the beard is finer. It can be seen there are 6 distinctive sets of hairs on the beard.
The Coarse Beard has a double strike on the 8, and the hair on the beard appears matted or closer together.
It is known these coins were made from alluvial gold from the Lydenburg district, refined by the Johnson Matthey company. The Pondes were minted by Ralph Heaton and Sons—also known as Birmingham Mint or Heaton's Mint.
1874 Coarse Beard Burgers Pond Forgeries
There does not seem to be a problem with forgeries, but many coins are ex-mount coins.
1874 Coarse Beard Burgers Pond Sample Sales
| Coin Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Hern's Number | B2 |
| Krause-Mishler Number | KM#1.1 |
| Designer | L.C. Wyon |
| Size Diameter | 22.33 mm |
| Thickness | 2.2098–2.3114 mm |
| Mintage | 142 to 174 * |
| Weight | 7.91–7.99 gm |
| Gold Content | 7.254–7.33 gm |
| Copper Content | 0.66–0.667 gm |
| Best Known | MS67 |
| Sample Sales | ||
|---|---|---|
| USA Based Auction Jan 2011 | NGC XF Details | US $9,200 |
| USA Based Auction Sept 2013 | NGC MS65 | US $128,500 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2017 | PCGS AU Details | US $10,575 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2025 | NGC MS65 | US $72,000 |
The 1874 Coarse Beard Burgers Pond: A Rare and Valuable Treasure
The 1874 Coarse Beard Burgers Pond is widely regarded as one of the rarest and most coveted coins in South African numismatics. With significantly fewer known examples than its Fine Beard counterpart, it holds a place of prestige among elite collectors. This exceptional rarity has driven remarkable interest at major U.S.-based auctions, where even coins with imperfections attract strong bidding.
In January 2011, a piece graded NGC XF Details fetched $9,200, despite not being mint state—an early indication of its desirability. The pinnacle came in September 2013 when a superb NGC MS65 specimen reached an astounding $128,500, underscoring its status as a numismatic showpiece.
Another example, graded PCGS AU Details, realized $10,575 in January 2017, proving that even non-uncirculated coins hold substantial value. Most recently, a second NGC MS65 was auctioned in January 2025, achieving $72,000, further confirming its elite standing in the collector’s market.
In contrast to the more frequently encountered Fine Beard variant, the Coarse Beard Pond’s rarity and historical mystique make it a crown jewel in any high-end ZAR coin collection. Its market performance reflects enduring prestige and a legacy that continues to captivate serious numismatists.