Discover the 1952 One Hundred Pound banknote: a collector's dream at rare auction
With the auction commencing at 19:00 on Sunday, 27 July, excitement surrounding this sale has reached an international crescendo. Bassani's is set to showcase some of the rarest and most historically significant collectibles ever seen on South African soil, thus cementing its status as a frontline player in the numismatics market. 'The South African numismatics market is exploding,' states Landon Coleske, a historian and numismatist at Bassani's. 'Collectors from across the globe are now showing interest in items we once considered local history. It's a privilege to share these stories and to witness record prices auction after auction.'
Regarded as the quintessential note, the £100 banknote boasts the highest denominational value ever issued for South Africa. Initially limited to just 15,000 examples, the rarity of the note is hard to overstate. Coleske estimates that fewer than a thousand are still in existence today, many in poor condition, marred by folds and tears. 'The note at the Bassani auction is in pristine condition,' he asserts, noting that well-preserved copies typically fetch between R50,000 and R70,000.
While the 1952 £100 banknote takes centre stage, it is but one jewel among many in this exceptional auction. Other notable items include:
1874 Burgerspond Fine Beard (AU55) : One of only 695 ever minted, this is the first official coin of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), renowned for its 'fine beard' portrait of President T.F. Burgers.
: One of only 695 ever minted, this is the first official coin of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), renowned for its 'fine beard' portrait of President T.F. Burgers. 1961 M.H. de Kock Z/1 R1 Replacement Banknote : With only 30,000 printed during a pivotal year for South Africa, this banknote is particularly sought-after, especially in good condition.
: With only 30,000 printed during a pivotal year for South Africa, this banknote is particularly sought-after, especially in good condition. 1921 One Pound Note – Signed by W.H. Clegg : Marking the first year of issue for South African banknotes, this piece bears the signature of the nation's first Reserve Bank Governor.
: Marking the first year of issue for South African banknotes, this piece bears the signature of the nation's first Reserve Bank Governor. 1931 10 Shillings Note – 'Cancelled' Overprint : Featuring a bold 'Cancelled' stamp, this unique transitional issue offers a fascinating insight into early note circulation.
: Featuring a bold 'Cancelled' stamp, this unique transitional issue offers a fascinating insight into early note circulation. Interconnected South African 2c Error Coins : A remarkable minting mistake, these are the first known pair of local Error Coins struck to fit together physically.
: A remarkable minting mistake, these are the first known pair of local Error Coins struck to fit together physically. 2003 South African 20c Error – Struck on a Swaziland 5c Blank: This highly unusual mint error is the first of its kind ever to appear in a South African auction.
Both the banknotes and coins available at the auction possess immense historical value, their preservation reflecting an era when South Africa transitioned from the Union to a republic. 'Our auctions are no longer just for seasoned collectors,' notes Dilion Bassani, CEO of Bassani's auction house. 'We're seeing students, young professionals, and first-time bidders get involved. There's something deeply emotional about owning a piece of South Africa's history.'
With a burgeoning loyal bidder base, record-breaking sales, and a fast, secure digital auction platform, Bassani's has entrenched itself as a reliable household name in the collectibles world. This July, every auction represents a new chance to invest not just in currency, but in culture, value, and legacy.
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An estimated 35,000 cubic metres of 'white rock' road-building material stockpiled at Tshiamiso Trading's construction site, approximately two kilometres from Mr Boetie Visser's mine dump. Photo supplied Development stalled By 9 February 2024, the MMSEZ had not provided Visser with feedback as promised. This prompted Visser to apply for an urgent interdict in the Polokwane High Court to stop the unlawful removal and ensure the materials were recovered. But on 5 March, the matter was dismissed because of a lack of urgency. Visser is proceeding with the court action against MMSEZ, SLM Engineers (the consulting engineers overseeing the project) and Tshiamiso and wants to be paid R12-million for the materials removed from his land. In May this year, the MMSEZ board chairperson, Dr Nndweleni Mphephu, presented a report to the Limpopo legislature's portfolio committee on economic development. The report revealed that Tshiamiso had terminated its R200-million contract, citing non-payment of standing time and ongoing court action. Tshiamiso had already been paid R50-million by the time of termination. The report also revealed that the land earmarked for the project's northern site did not belong to the MMSEZ. The land belonged to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. Additionally, the area designated for the northern site had not yet been gazetted. 'Come and fetch your rocks' Visser has still not received any payment for the materials. 'I have done nothing wrong. They stole my stone, moved it unlawfully, and now I'm left with a bill and legal costs amounting to half a million rand. And I still don't have my stone back,' said Visser. Visser claims that SLM Engineers knew that Tshiamiso had been extracting rocks from the wrong area. In spite of his ongoing court action, Visser, on 15 July this year, received a letter from Tshifhiwa Irish Bologo, acting CEO of the MMSEZ, telling him to collect the rocks at his own expense before the end of the month. 'As you are aware, MMSEZ was not responsible for the removal of the white rock material from your site as that was done by Tshiamiso Trading without any direct or indirect involvement of MMSEZ,' stated Bologo. This left Visser outraged. 'I didn't put it there. They put it there – their contractors. Now I must transport it back at my own expense? … My offer was simple. I said, pay me, and I'll take my stone back. Now they're saying no, take it back at your own cost,' said Visser. In response to a media enquiry, Bologo said 'Visser is currently engaging with MMSEZ on the removal of the white rocks.' Bologo said that 'MMSEZ is not aware of any instructions by SLM to Tshiamiso Trading to collect the white rocks and therefore no action will be taken against SLM.' As for Tshiamiso, Bologo confirmed that the company still holds the R100-million contract for bulk sewer and waste treatment works construction. She confirmed that a new contractor will have to be appointed to complete the internal roads and stormwater infrastructure. In response to questions, Mohlaba, Tshiamiso's director, said: 'The removal of material occurred lawfully. The claims by Mr Visser presently form the subject matter of an application in the high court. A cost order has already been granted against Mr Visser and is in the process of execution. The application is still pending.' SLM Engineering said that part of the matter had been dismissed with costs by the court. 'Thus, in respect of the law, we cannot comment any further at the moment as this matter is before the court,' concluded Sello Matlakal, a director of SLM. (The cost order referred to by Mohlaba and Matlakala relates only to the urgent application that was dismissed for lack of urgency, not Visser's ongoing court case). A controversial contractor Mohlaba is no stranger to controversy. In 2019, Tshiamiso was taken to court by the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, which accused it of 'undue enrichment' after the company was awarded a R26-million contract for the construction of a 5.8km road and stormwater drainage system. Costs escalated rapidly, and construction was halted when Tshiamiso demanded further payments. It emerged in court that Tshiamiso had made errors in its bid calculations, which influenced the procurement process. The court ruled that the municipality's decision to award the tender to Tshiamiso was unlawful and constitutionally invalid from the outset. At the time, Tshiamiso was also entangled in other similar disputes. In 2016, the Makhado Municipality awarded the company contracts for the construction of two roads, where costs escalated and the projects were halted. Tshiamiso is listed as a legal contingency in the municipality's 2022/23 annual financial statements. At the time, the company was suing the municipality for R7.4-million in unpaid standing time, while the municipality lodged a counterclaim for R11.8-million, alleging 'undue enrichment'. The outcomes of these claims remain unknown. During the covid pandemic, Tshiamiso diversified into the medical supply sector. It was one of 42 suppliers contracted by the Limpopo provincial government to deliver masks and infrared thermometers. This article is published in association with the Limpopo Mirror/Zoutpansberger. This article was republished from GroundUp. Read the original here.
