South Africa, Pre-Union South African Republic (Transvaal) 3 Pence 1892-1897

History

3 Pence 1892-1897, KM# 3, South African Republic (Transvaal)

Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions

Description

The South African Republic (Dutch: Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, ZAR), often referred to as the Transvaal and sometimes as the Republic of Transvaal, was an independent and internationally recognised country in Southern Africa from 1852 to 1902. The country defeated the British in what is often referred to as the First Boer War and remained independent until the end of the Second Boer War on 31 May 1902, when it was forced to surrender to the British. The territory of the ZAR became known after this war as the Transvaal Colony. After the outbreak of the First World War a small number of Boers staged the Maritz Rebellion, declared the reinstatement of the South African Republic and aligned themselves with the Central Powers in a failed gambit to regain independence.

Engraver: Otto Schultz

Obverse	Person (politician, revolutionary, entrepreneur) Paul Kruger Bust of President Johannes Paulus Kruger left. Stephanus Johannes Paulus "Paul" Kruger (1825–1904) was one of the dominant political and military figures in 19th-century South Africa, and President of the South African Republic (or Transvaal) from 1883 to 1900. Nicknamed Oom Paul ("Uncle Paul"), he came to international prominence as the face of the Boer cause—that of the Transvaal and its neighbour the Orange Free State—against Britain during the Second Boer War of 1899–1902. He has been called a personification of Afrikanerdom, and remains a controversial and divisive figure; admirers venerate him as a tragic folk hero, while critics view him as the obstinate guardian of an unjust cause.
Reverse	Tree, flower, plant etc. Olive The facial value surrounded by olive leaves wreath, and the abbreviated name of the South African Republic (Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek). Z.A.R 18 3 92
Edge	Plain