The Mystery of the Missionaries' Money: The Griqua Coinage of the London Missionary Society
Nortje, Pierre H. (2023)
Book Summary
The Griqua coinage was introduced in South Africa by the London Missionary Society (LMS) in the first quarter of the 19th century at their mission station at Griquatown, situated in what is known today as the Northern Cape Province. The series consists of four denominations, a quarter and half pence struck in copper, and a five and ten pence in silver. Some numismatists refer to the coinage as “tokens” while others see them as “coins”.
As late as 1910, almost a hundred years after they were introduced in South Africa, Dr. J.W.B. Gunning, who was the Director of the Transvaal Museum from 1897 to 1913, wrote that “De geschiedenis dezer munten is min of meer in duister gehuld” (The history of these coins is to some extent shrouded in mystery) and ends his article with three questions.
In what year were they coined?
In what years were they in use?
What amount was circulated?
These questions, and more, still intrigue coin collectors and historians in the present day and have led to many a fierce numismatic debate.
