1892 Kruger Pond Double Shaft
The Proof Double Shaft Pond
The Double Shaft Pond is recognized by the two shafts depicted on the Voortrekker wagon. In reality, the traditional wagon used a single shaft (disselboom), allowing oxen to be yoked on either side. This coin also includes the initials O.S. on President Kruger’s shoulder, representing the designer Otto Schultz.
This coin was part of the first series minted for the ZAR government and was struck by the Prussian Mint in Berlin. Several design errors are present in the Double Shaft version:
- The wagon was mistakenly illustrated with two shafts instead of one.
- The front wheels should have been smaller than the rear wheels.
- The initials “O.S.” in Afrikaans also translate to “ox,” which was seen as ironic and controversial.
Because the wagon was a national symbol of the Boer people, these mistakes caused significant public backlash. It is said that the controversy nearly cost President Paul Kruger his re-election. As a result, many unreleased coins were melted down.
The image above shows an MS63-graded Double Shaft Pond.
Coin Specifications
| Coin Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Hern's Number | Z44 |
| Krause-Mishler Number | KM#10.2 |
| Designer | Otto Schultz |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Thickness | 1.56 mm |
| Mintage | 15,650 |
| Weight | 7.988 gm |
| Gold Content | 7.322 gm |
| Copper Content | 0.665 gm |
| Best Known | MS66 |
1892 Double Shaft Pond
| Sample Sales | ||
|---|---|---|
| USA Based Auction Apr 2011 | NGC MS65 | US $21,850 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | NGC MS63 | US $3,737 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | NGC VF35 | US $517 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | NGC AU55 | US $1,495 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | NGC VF35 | US $517 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2013 | NGC AU55 | US $1,292 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2013 | NGC AU58 | US $1,645 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2013 | NGC MS63 | US $4,112 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2014 | PCGS MS63 | US $3,055 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | NGC MS65 | US $15,275 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2017 | PCGS MS63 | US $7,050 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2018 | NGC MS62 | US $2,880 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2020 | NGC MS62 | US $4,200 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2021 | NGC MS62 | US $3,600 |
| USA Based Auction May 2022 | NGC MS62 | US $4,680 |
| USA Based Auction Aug 2022 | NGC MS62 | US $3,360 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2023 | NGC MS63 | US $3,120 |
| USA Based Auction May 2024 | PCGS MS63 | US $3,720 |
| USA Based Auction Nov 2024 | NGC MS62+ | US $3,600 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2025 | NGC MS64 | US $3,840 |
| USA Based Auction Feb 2025 | NGC AU55 | US $960 |
The Legacy of the 1892 Double Shaft Pond
The 1892 Double Shaft Pond is a well-known and widely traded variety from the early coinage of the ZAR Republic. While highly collectible and historically significant, it is not as rare as the Single Shaft version, making it more accessible to collectors across various budgets.
The coin garnered attention in April 2011 when a top-tier NGC MS65 specimen achieved $21,850. In January 2012, several pieces in varying conditions appeared at auction: a MS63 brought $3,737, a VF35 went for $517, and an AU55 realized $1,495. These sales reflected both its availability and the range of interest among collectors.
In 2013, multiple coins sold: a NGC AU55 for $1,292, an AU58 for $1,645, and an MS63 example for $4,112. The upward trend continued into 2014 with a PCGS MS63 closing at $3,055. By September 2015, another NGC MS65 drew attention with a strong result of $15,275.
In 2017, a PCGS MS63 realized $7,050. In the years following, MS62 examples consistently appeared: $2,880 in 2018, $4,200 in 2020, $3,600 in 2021, $4,680 in May 2022, and $3,360 in August 2022.
Recent sales show steady performance: NGC MS63 sold for $3,120 in 2023, PCGS MS63 fetched $3,720 in May 2024, and NGC MS62+ reached $3,600 in November 2024. The January 2025 auction saw an NGC MS64 bring $3,840, while an AU55 fetched $960 in February.
Though more common than its Single Shaft counterpart, the Double Shaft remains a vital part of any ZAR collection. Its consistent presence at auctions and relatively broader availability make it a popular entry point into the rare coin market while still offering value and prestige.