Mervyn Mitton

A rather worn Boer Republic 2/6 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-51640100-1374850115.jpgclick

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This is the rare Boer Republic 5/- piece - with the head of Paul Kruger. Made at the Pretoria Mint coins were made from 1892 to 1898. This is a first year - 1892. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-34955600-1374849263.jpgclick

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Special commemorative medal for the Great Exhibition of 1851. This side shows Prince Albert - Queen Victoria's Consort. The next side will show the glass hall. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-74874100-1374848984.jpgclick

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1889 Queen Victoria 2/6 piece http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-48501300-1374848741.jpgclick

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For some reason this has been a week for coins. Firstly, the Boer POW one that I have posted and yesterday a bag of assorted coins, all silver - some I think, probably quite rare. I am not a numismatist - so, any help on history and values will be greatly appreciated. Mervyn 1889 Queen Victoria Crown or, 5/- piece http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-18525000-1374848424.jpgclick

David - is there any wording on the pad of the stamp ?

CJB - as Paddywhack said - any British Medals. Miniatures are often neglected as a field of collecting - although I have noticed that there is more interest in recent year, with the rising costs of full size groups. Mervyn

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During the period of the Boer War - 1899-1902 - the British sent many prisoners to Colonies. These included St. Helena, Bermuda, Ceylon and India. Handiwork and other hobbies were allowed to prisoners and some remarkable pieces were made with simple tools - usually just a small knife, which was permitted. One of the favourite materials to be used, were the silver coins in the prisoner's pocket at the time of capture. They had a particular style of decorating the coin - scratching with the point of the blade to put a hat on Paul Kruger. He was the President and his effigy was on one side. Boers - now Afrikaans - are a conservative people and in a formal setting, they invariably wear a hat - even today. Kruger's head was uncovered on the coins and I think many of his men thought this was disrespectful to him. Certainly, when they had coins they carved a hat for him. They also liked to show a Meershaum pipe. This interesting item is a combination of two coins - the larger one is a British Florin or, 2/- piece. This was probably bartered for in India or, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) - it is a middle period head of Queen Victoria - probably around 1860. Well worn, which is why I think India. The POW must have had a Boer Republic 3d (three pence coin) - these were known as 'tickeys'. He has fixed this onto the British coin, with Kruger's head at the top. He has drawn a three sided box around the Tickey - with arrow points at the bottom - not sure of the significance of this - perhaps to show he was a prisoner ? Kruger's head has been given a hat and he also now has a pipe. An interesting item from around 115 years ago - how things have changed in that comparitively short time............ http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-87757900-1374675773.jpgclick

These are the Crown Jewels - the ORB is on the right. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-69723200-1374674357.jpgclick

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Since the Egyptians invented paper - some 5000 years ago - using the Papyrus plant , there has been ink to write with. Often originally a mixture of soot - present day ink is very sophisticated and most people use throwaway ball points. However, the collecting of old inkwells is a big field , and ranges from silver, to ceramic and different types of metal I will start this new section with a very rare example - later we can follow with other examples and hopefully, members will be able to add . The one shown here is of good quality silver plate, but has no maker's mark. Remarkably, it represents part of the Crown Jewels - the ORB. The Sovereign carries this in full regalia and when wearing the Crown. I suspect it was made to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The top turns within itself to open the inkwell. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-83377200-1374673826.jpgclick

Are any members able to help Peter on these signs ? I would have thought perhaps something to do with the Desert Rats ?

Welcome to GMIC - I am sure our Members will be able to assist. Mervyn

Hi - Mike. A very impressive collection and of course just a small part - how many now ? I think Brian will agree with me , that this is worthy of posting for Member's reference for a while. However, with the three boards they will not enlarge sufficiently to read the details. Would it be possible for you to split the post and show each board on it's own. There is a standard size for first showing - however, if the original post is quite large, I do think when you click that they come-up bigger - I may be wrong on this , perhaps some one can confirm ? Mervyn

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