All prices in US Dollars
Updated December
2007
-
Select from type listed below:
Select from type listed below:
Note: Since the evolution of the Internet the price of S&Co coins has started rising dramatically - probably because of the comprehensive research done on these trade tokens which were used as currency for many years in the region of South Africa now known as East Griqualand. This price rise is just the tip of the ice berg as the S&Co are now being recognised by serious collectors of S African coins as being as collectable as the 1902 Veld Pond, the Sammy Marks Tickey and the Burgers Pond. These coins change hands for thousands of dollars a piece.
The S&Co pieces described below were South Africa's first indigenous currency - being issued in 1874. It should be noted most of the coins counted by Scott Balson in 1976 and listed as "estimated mintage" below were melted down in the 1980s - see letter below (2006).
| Dear Scott
My grandfather worked for Strachan & Co. in the 1930s and later for James Cole before buying his own store in the Umzimkulu district. After the introduction of the homeland system he bought a store on the Natal side of the river on the road beyond Madonela station, which was where I spent the first few years of the life. I am presently in the process of privately publishing a limited edition work on the white traders and farmers of the Umzimkulu district. It will include James Cole, the Staffords etc. Ken Strachan had the remaining tokens melted down and the money he made from selling the brass was given to St Peter's in Pietermaritzburg*.
Regards |
No tokens were listed for sale on ebay in 2004 and just a few were listed in 2005 and 2006 attracting record prices and interest. The importance of these tokens is now spreading through the numismatic community and, as a result, fewer are being traded as prices are expected to rise dramatically.
In July 2006 a Strachan and Co coin attracted more bidders and a much higher price on eBay than an EF graded 1892 five shilling ZAR coin - S&Co bid scan - 1892 crown bid scan
Technical and mintage statistics at this link.
| Denomination | est Mintage* | Sell | Buy | Last Sale |
| 3d | 2,739 | 100 | 75 | 83 - Ebay December 2007 |
| 6d | 1,627 | 120 | 95 | 69 - Ebay December 2007 |
| 1/- | 452 | 150 | 120 | |
| 2/- | 342 | 150 | 120 |
Technical and mintage statistics at this link.
| Denomination | est Mintage* | Sell | Buy | Last Sale |
| 3d | 109 | 750 | 600 | |
| 6d | 85 | n/a | 700 | |
| 1/- | 81 | n/a | 725 | |
| 2/- | 85 | n/a | 700 |
Technical and mintage statistics at this link.
| Denomination | est Mintage* | Sell | Buy | Last Sale |
| 3d | 932 | 100 | 85 | |
| 6d | 802 | 120 | 90 | 67 - Ebay - December 2007 |
| 1/- | 61 | n/a | 775 | |
| 2/- | 1,170 | 100 | 85 |
Technical and mintage statistics at this link.
| Denomination | est Mintage* | Sell | Buy | Last Sale |
| 3d | 4,209 | 100 | 85 | 122 - Ebay - December 2007 |
| 6d | 5,014 | 100 | 85 | |
| 1/- | 1,365 | 130 | 120 | 145.50 - Ebay - December 2007 |
| 2/- | 1,025 | 200 | 150 | 152.50 - Ebay - December 2007 |
Prices of individual Strachan and Co coins have
more than tripled since 2003 - all private sales except where noted.
It should be noted that these prices have a long way to go when compared
with the trading prices of other unusual South African coins of this time
- such as the Burgers Pond.
Technical and mintage statistics of all coins at
this link. 
| Year | Last Sale |
| 1981 | US$ 35 |
| 1986 | US$ 300 |
| 1991 | US$ 600* |
| 1999 | US$ 750 |
| 2002 | US$ 800 |
| 2003 | US$ 950 |
| 2003 | US$ 975 |
| 2003 | US$2,800 |
| 2004 | US$3,000 |
| 2005 | US$3,500 |
| 2007 | US$4,000* |
* Pre release of Balson's book
"Children of the
Mist"
*Sold at Spinks, Noble Numismatics auction #37 on 13th November 1991 (item 1860)
Known owners of complete sets of Strachan and Co tokens
Return to Menu
