1893 Half Kruger Pond Single Shaft
The 1893 Half Pond is considered the rarest of all the ZAR half ponds. Although its mintage is officially listed as one, it is believed to be included in the 1892 production total of 10,150 coins. Its extreme rarity makes it one of the most desirable items in South African numismatics.
1893 Half Pond Forgeries
There are no widespread reports of forgery, but care should always be taken. A known issue is the modification of 1895 coins to resemble 1893 dates—always inspect the date carefully and consider certified coins for peace of mind.
Many Half Ponds, especially rare ones, were turned into cufflinks or jewelry, resulting in ex-mount damage. Look for solder or tooling marks near the center of the coin. One collector recalled having an 1893 Half Pond made into a jewelry piece. Unfortunately, the jeweler later informed him the coin had cracked in half from the torch heat—an unfortunate loss of a historical treasure.
| Coin Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Hern's Number | Z39 |
| Krause-Mishler Number | KM#9.2 |
| Designer | Otto Schultz |
| Diameter | 19.4 mm |
| Thickness | 1.55 mm |
| Mintage | 1 (suspected to be included in 1892 mintage of 10,150) |
| Weight | 3.994 gm |
| Gold Content | 3.661 gm |
| Copper Content | 0.333 gm |
| Best Known | MS63 |
1893 Single Shaft Half Pond
| Sample Sales | ||
|---|---|---|
| USA Based Auction Apr 2010 | ANACS VF35 | US $15,525 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2011 | PCGS XF45 | US $18,400 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | PCGS AU50 | US $29,900 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | NGC XF 40 | US $19,550 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2012 | PCGS AU50 | US $17,250 |
| USA Based Auction May 2012 | PCGS VF35 | US $7,027 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2012 | NGC VF35 | US $5,522 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2013 | PCGS VF35 | US $4,993 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2013 | PCGS VF35 | US $3,818 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2013 | NGC XF Details | US $2,350 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2014 | NGC XF45 | US $9,987 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2014 | NGC XF40 | US $5,875 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2014 | NGC AU50 | US $11,162 |
| USA Based Auction Aug 2014 | PCGS AU50 | US $11,162 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | PCGS AU55 | US $12,925 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2016 | NGC XF45 | US $7,050 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2018 | NGC VF Details | US $1,080 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2019 | NGC XF45 | US $3,300 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2022 | NGC VF Details | US $792 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2025 | NGC XF40 | US $2,040 |
The Rare and Elusive 1893 Single Shaft Half Pond
The 1893 Single Shaft Half Pond is recognized as one of the scarcer coins within the ZAR series. While not impossible to find, it is seldom seen at auction—particularly in high grades. Most known examples fall below the AU grade, making mint-state specimens nearly unheard of.
Over the past two decades, this coin has appeared at several notable U.S.-based auctions, where even moderately graded examples have fetched strong prices. In January 2012, a PCGS AU50 specimen brought an impressive $29,900, one of the highest prices recorded for this type. Other examples, such as a PCGS XF45 in 2011 and a PCGS AU55 in 2015, realized $18,400 and $12,925 respectively.
However, many appearances at auction have been of coins graded VF35 to XF45, with values ranging from $2,000 to $11,000 depending on market conditions and the coin’s overall eye appeal. The scarcity of higher-grade coins suggests that most surviving examples were circulated heavily, making pristine specimens extremely rare.
The most recent sale occurred in January 2025, with a NGC XF40 coin selling for $2,040, highlighting a continued interest even for mid-grade examples. The 1893 Half Pond remains a prized target for collectors aiming to complete a comprehensive ZAR set.