South Africa Boer War Cufflinks

[Mervyn Mitton]

The South African Republic - the Boers existed until the Peace of 1902 - minted their own coins in

Pretoria from 1892 to 1898.

British and Commonwealth soldiers and officers - took many of these coins home and later had them

mounted as cufflinks. I showed a pair with 1/2 Kruger gold coins on the Coins section.

This pair have two sixpences (6d's) as the main front coin - then a small silver link chain - and then two, three

penny silver coins (3d's). These are always known as tickeys in Sth. Africa and were a favourite for the

Christmas Pudding.

One of these is a Kruger coin - the other dated 1910 - is an Australian 3d. coin. I feel almost certain that

these belonged to an Australian who served in the Boer War - he just didn't get around to the cufflinks until

1910.

Quite a rare and unusual set - and very collectable.

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[Mervyn Mitton]

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[Laurence Strong]

Could you explain the bit about the Christmas pudding and the 3d please?

Edited January 20, 2013 by Laurence Strong

[Mervyn Mitton]

Larry - the British tradition - literally going back thousands of years and probably pre-dating Christianity, is that in that period of the year

when great feasts were held, a special pudding was made. This was of meat originally, but later became of fruits and suet - when spices

became available by the 15/16th Centuries the richer people had them mixed-in.

So, the tradition of the Christmas pudding became general. Coins were often mixed in to give a gift to visitors and nowdays, it is usual

to just put in one coin. The 3d small silver coin was the most popular (known in Sth. Africa as a 'tickey') - the person who found-it in his

helping would have good luck in the year ahead - and sometimes an additional small gift from the host.

The tradition - unfortunately - is dying out - the risk of someone swallowing the coin and suing has become too high. This of course is

nonsense, but helps to explain why the World has become a boring place with everyone looking and sounding the same....... Mervyn

[Laurence Strong]

Thanks Mervyn much appreciated

Larry