Paul Kruger: 200 years of legacy struck in gold
The Kruger 1898 '9' single pound coin that was sold in January 2025 at an auction for R41 million
Image: Bassani
This year marks a significant milestone as South Africa commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Paul Kruger, an iconic figure whose legacy extends far beyond the annals of politics. Renowned as the long-serving President of the South African Republic (ZAR), Kruger embodies the resilience and independence of a nation striving for recognition and identity. However, his impact on South African numismatics elevates him to a unique status — one that has solidified his image on some of the most valuable coins in history.
According to numismatic expert and historian Landon Coleske of Bassani’s Auction House, Paul Kruger ranks in the top 20 individuals to have appeared on the most coins worldwide, and excluding monarchs, he securely holds a place among the top 5. Kruger’s likeness first graced official ZAR coinage in 1892, revolutionising the nation’s currency system and introducing the world to a new emblem of South African identity.
“The introduction of Kruger’s portrait on coins was not simply a measure of currency; it was a crucial statement of sovereignty and craftsmanship,” Coleske explains. The coins featured Kruger’s unmistakable profile along with the ZAR coat of arms, including bronze pennies, silver thrupences to crowns, and gold half-pond and pond coins. Such designs heralded the dawn of South Africa’s first truly national coinage, cementing a numismatic legacy that has endured for over a century.
Among the nation’s most coveted coins is the legendary 1898 Single 9 Kruger Pond, minted during the Anglo-Boer War as an emergency issue. Dillon Bassani, CEO of Bassani’s Auction House, highlights its rarity: “Only one example was ever produced. The coin’s crude '9' stamp denotes the new year, making it utterly unique. Recently sold for R41 million, it holds the title of South Africa’s most valuable coin.”
The Kruger 1898 '9' single pound that was sold at an auction for R41 million. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Paul Kruger.
Image: Bassani
Kruger’s storied influence did not dwindle with the fall of the ZAR; in 1967, his portrait was revived on the Gold Krugerrand, a groundbreaking coin that revolutionised the global bullion market. “The Krugerrand was the world’s first modern bullion coin, designed to facilitate simple and internationally tradable gold ownership,” notes Coleske. Since its inception, over 60 million Krugerrands have been minted, solidifying its status as the most recognised gold coin globally.
Not limited to the revered Krugerrand, other coins bearing Kruger’s visage, such as the 1967 proof Krugerrand and the 1892 Proof Penny, have commanded impressive prices at auction, showcasing a diversity of values and collectibility within the ‘Kruger-stable’. “These coins tell a narrative that spans from the colonial past to the contemporary era,” Bassani remarks.
As of 2025, Kruger’s portrait has continuously adorned South African coins for an extraordinary 133 years—a remarkable record very few can rival. “Two hundred years after his birth, Kruger remains more than a historical figure; he is a symbol of South African identity, craftsmanship, and pride,” states Coleske. “His enduring presence on coins reminds us that while empires may rise and fall, some legacies are struck in gold.”