3 gold coins

[ozlady]

I have a brooch given to me by my grandmother. It consists of 3 small gold? coins joined together. One has the date 1894, another 1895. The head on all three is the same, an aristocratic looking gent with a long beard. Who was he? The coins are half pond from "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek". I don't know how she got it as she wasn't born until 1898.

[SheilaM]

Hi Ozlady

Do they look anything like any of the coins on this link?

http://www.tokencoins.com/zar04.htm

If so, I think the gent will be Paul Kruger.

Sheila

[ozlady]

Thanks, Sheila. Yes it is Paul Kruger. I'd love to know where the brooch came from and how dear old Nan came by it!

[SheilaM]

Hello again

I may be way off track here but I wonder if some family member was in the Boer War and brought the coins back and had them made into the brooch.

I remember as a child having a bracelet made from obsolete coins ie silver threepenny pieces and farthings.

Sheila

[ozlady]

Yes, I considered that too. So far I can't find anyone in the family who was in South Africa. The only military man I have was born in 1894. He was killed in WW1.

[SheilaM]

I suppose it could have been given by a family friend.  One of those mysteries but it would be interesting to know how it came into your nan's possession.

Sheila