Gatsby Collection of South African Coinage Heads to Heritage’s NYINC Auction

Heritage Auctions presents The Gatsby Collection, an extraordinary curation of pre-1960 South African coinage, unparalleled in its breadth and quality. The collection comprises what is believed to be the rarest, most comprehensive and most valuable collection of Southern African numismatic items in private hands and represents the result of more than 50 years of patient and dedicated connoisseurship.

The Gatsby Collection will be sold at Heritage Auctions throughout 2025 in three installments, the first with a stand-alone session at Heritage’s New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) Auction January 13, 2025.

Republic gold “9” Pond 1898 MS63 Prooflike NGC, Pretoria mint, KM-Unl., Hern-ZP6. The indisputable “unicorn coin” in the entire South African series, the “Single 9 Overstamp” 1898 Pond remains unchallenged in its exclusive solitude.

The overarching objective of the passionate collector who compiled this comprehensive and highly graded collection was to include the rarest coins and mint specimens representing the rich history of coinage in early Southern Africa. Spanning the very first prototypes of the fledgling mission station of Griquatown, through the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal, and onward via the Union of South African period, to a selection of the key modern-day Krugerrands, this collection is a lasting testament to the collector’s determination to capture the finest and most coveted issues.

Building this remarkable assemblage has required not only an extensive knowledge of South African numismatics, but also remarkable networking and negotiating skills to discretely secure the many immensely rare – and in some cases unique – pieces seen in this collection, which is the result of extensive time, effort and financial commitment that were invested during its compilation.

This NYINC standalone will feature the crowning jewel of this collection and of the entire South African numismatic field: the legendary “Single 9” overstrike of the 1898 Pond. Dubbed “The King of South African Coins,” this unique coin is undeniably one of the most valuable and rare world coins extant. It boasts a fascinating pedigree, including being once part of King Farouk’s illustrious “Palace Collections of Egypt.” It was last privately traded to the current owner in 2010.

Other NYINC auction highlights include, but are not limited to:

Republic gold “Coarse Beard” Burgers Pond 1874 MS65 NGC, Heaton mint, KM1.1, Hern-B2. Mintage of just 142 according to Hern. By Leonard Wyon.

• A Republic “Coarse Beard” Burgers Pond 1874 MS65 NGC – a scarce variety of this Leonard Wyon design, and the second-finest certified across NGC and PCGS

Orange Free State. Republic silver Counterstamped Kroon 1887 AU55 NGC, Berlin mint, cf. KM-XPn3 (for base type), Hern-O5. 26.92gm. Counterstamp (UNC Strong): “I.B.E.A. Co 1888” with balance scales, and the Persian word ADLI (“the Just”) for Imperial British East Africa Company.

• An Orange Free State. Republic silver Counterstamped Kroon 1887 AU55 NGC – the finest at NGC, subject of scholarly interests toward this tumultuous period of governmental history for the Orange Free State

Republic gold “Veld” Pond 1902 MS65 NGC, Pilgrims Rest mint, KM11, Hern-Z54. Reported Mintage stands at 986 pieces for this variety featuring a notable slash to the upper left of its obverse.

• A Republic gold “Veld” Pond 1902 MS65 NGC – a celebrated type, offered in incredible Gem quality, tracing to the Second Boer War

Among the future events at which items from the Gatsby Collection will be sold is the American Numismatic Fair (ANA) that will be held in August 2025

• A George V Proof Farthing 1926 PR64 NGC – part of a Six-Piece Proof Set and the finest of only 16 Proofs recorded
• A George V gold Sovereign 1923-SA MS66 PCGS – from a mintage of just over 400 and tied with one other representative for the finest certified
• A George V bronze Matte Proof Pattern Sovereign 1928 PR64 NGC