Blank Pond without Rim, circa 1900 PCGS MS61

The blank ponds were manufactured in Pretoria some time around 1900 in the midst of the South African War (Second Boer War), and are in effect unfinished gold ponds. While historical records are sketchy, various sources state that the blanks were removed from the Pretoria mint by Paul Kruger’s forces prior to the imminent British invasion of Pretoria. They were subsequently used as currency by the government of the Republic to pay soldiers, farmers, and citizens with whom the government dealt. Some were exchanged for sovereigns. Today, they’re widely collected by both South African collectors and worldwide sovereign collectors, who view these blanks as sovereign proxies. (They are of identical weight and purity to the British sovereign.) The number trading the market is unknown, but they turn up for sale or auction only a few times every year. The example on offer above is the rimless version of the blank, with scraper adjustment marks in the fields. While not a beautiful coin, it is certainly one of historical significance. Professional Coin Grading Service is the global leader in coin authentication and grading. With over 60 million coins graded and counting, PCGS is trusted by collectors, dealers, and investors to certify authenticity, protect value, and elevate market confidence. This is a direct conversion of the 70-point PCGS grade to a 10-point scale, intended to present the grade in a more intuitive format for newer collectors. It is not our personal opinion or an attempt at regrading the coin to a different standard. To understand how the 70-point scale converts to a 10-point scale, [click here](https://drakesterling.com/en/page/the-ten-point-coin-grading-scale). The blank ponds were manufactured in Pretoria some time around 1900 in the midst of the South African War (Second Boer War), and are in effect unfinished gold ponds. While historical records are sketchy, various sources state that the blanks were removed from the Pretoria mint by Paul Kruger’s forces prior to the imminent British invasion of Pretoria. They were subsequently used as currency by the government of the Republic to pay soldiers, farmers, and citizens with whom the government dealt. Some were exchanged for sovereigns. Today, they’re widely collected by both South African collectors and worldwide sovereign collectors, who view these blanks as sovereign proxies. (They are of identical weight and purity to the British sovereign.) The number trading the market is unknown, but they turn up for sale or auction only a few times every year. The example on offer above is the rimless version of the blank, with scraper adjustment marks in the fields. While not a beautiful coin, it is certainly one of historical significance.