1897 Kruger Pond Single Shaft
1897 Kruger Pond
The 1897 Pond is a fairly common coin with one of the highest mintages of the series. However, finding one in UNC condition remains a challenge.
1897 Pond Forgeries
Many forgeries of the 1897 Pond exist, but most are easily identified. One of the clearest signs is a distinct cut running from President Kruger's nose to his lip.
Another well-known variety is the "Z variety" forgery, where there is a visible cut through the letter "Z" in the inscription. This same feature appears on some 1894 Pond forgeries as well.
Coin Specifications
| Coin Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Hern's Number | Z50 |
| Krause-Mishler Number | KM#10.2 |
| Designer | Otto Schultz |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Thickness | 1.56 mm |
| Mintage | 310,980 |
| Weight | 7.988 gm |
| Gold Content | 7.322 gm |
| Copper Content | 0.665 gm |
| Best Known Grade | MS63 |
1897 Single Shaft Pond
| Sample Sales | ||
|---|---|---|
| USA Based Auction Sep 2011 | NGC VF35 | US $488 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2012 | NGC XF45 | US $690 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2012 | NGC AU53 | US $1,116 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2012 | PCGS AU53 | US $1,057 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2013 | PCGS AU53 | US $734 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2014 | PCGS AU58 | US $1,527 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2014 | NGC AU58 | US $1,527 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2014 | NGC AU58 | US $3,055 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2015 | NGC MS63 | US $16,450 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2015 | NGC AU55 | US $998 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2015 | NGC AU55 | US $399 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | NGC XF40 | US $505 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | NGC MS62 | US $9,635 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | NGC AU58 | US $3,055 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | PCGS AU53 | US $1,351 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | NGC XF45 | US $493 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2015 | NGC AU58 | US $3,055 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2016 | NGC AU58 | US $2,820 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2016 | NGC AU55 | US $1,116 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2016 | PCGS MS62 | US $12,925 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2016 | NGC AU53 | US $1,186 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2017 | NGC MS62 | US $8,812 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2017 | NGC AU50 | US $470 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2017 | NGC AU50 | US $446 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2017 | NGC XF45 | US $352 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2018 | NGC AU58 | US $1,140 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2018 | NGC AU55 | US $504 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2018 | NGC MS61 | US $4,080 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2018 | NGC AU55 | US $840 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2018 | NGC AU58 | US $2,160 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2018 | NGC AU55 | US $780 |
| USA Based Auction Sep 2018 | NGC XF40 | US $432 |
| USA Based Auction Oct 2018 | NGC XF45 | US $360 |
| USA Based Auction Nov 2018 | NGC AU58 | US $1,140 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2019 | NGC AU58 | US $1,800 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2019 | NGC AU53 | US $480 |
| USA Based Auction Feb 2019 | NGC XF45 | US $390 |
| USA Based Auction Dec 2020 | NGC XF45 | US $432 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2021 | NGC AU58 | US $1,260 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2021 | NGC AU58 | US $1,440 |
| USA Based Auction Aug 2021 | NGC AU53 | US $750 |
| USA Based Auction Oct 2021 | NGC AU58 | US $1,200 |
| USA Based Auction Mar 2022 | NGC XF40 | US $528 |
| USA Based Auction Jun 2022 | NGC AU55 | US $720 |
| USA Based Auction Aug 2022 | NGC AU53 | US $720 |
| USA Based Auction Aug 2022 | NGC MS61 | US $4,266 |
| USA Based Auction Apr 2023 | NGC AU58 | US $1,140 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2024 | NGC AU58 | US $1,020 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2024 | NGC AU58 | US $780 |
| USA Based Auction Oct 2024 | NGC AU58 | US $900 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2025 | NGC MS64 | US $5,040 |
| USA Based Auction Jan 2025 | NGC MS61 | US $2,640 |
1897 Single Shaft Pond: Consistently Traded, with High-Grade Standouts
The 1897 Single Shaft Pond is a well-known and actively traded coin in the ZAR series. Over the years, it has frequently appeared at auctions in a wide range of grades, making it accessible to many collectors while still commanding significant premiums in mint condition.
Lower and mid-grade examples — ranging from VF35 to AU55 — have consistently traded between $400 and $1,400. In particular, AU58 specimens have been common across multiple years, often realizing between $1,000 and $3,000.
Standout sales for higher-grade coins include:
- January 2015: NGC MS63 sold for $16,450
- September 2016: PCGS MS62 sold for $12,925
- September 2015: NGC MS62 sold for $9,635
- January 2017: NGC MS62 sold for $8,812
- January 2025: NGC MS64 sold for $5,040
These results emphasize that while the 1897 Pond is not exceptionally rare in circulated condition, examples in MS61 and above are significantly more valuable and less frequently encountered.
Its frequent appearances at auction also make the 1897 Pond a useful benchmark for evaluating broader market trends within South African gold coins. For collectors seeking a balance between availability and potential upside, this coin offers solid appeal.