The Mystery of the Gold Tickey

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

In South Africa, Tickey was the familiar name of the coin of 3 pence. This piece was made of silver. Yet it is a gold Tickey which is presented in November (date and venue to be confirmed) by Stephan Welz in association with Sotheby's.

The history of this foundry is known. It was produced in 1898 with the same dies as the silver coins of same value. The equipment had been loaned for one day by the government to Sammy Marks who issued 215 copies, probably using his own gold.

This is a coin and not a token or medal, because at that time in that country the material was not taken into account for the authorization of circulation.

But why doing by yourself what already exists as a regular coin? Historians have no satisfactory explanation for the initiative of Marks. This man of humble origin was established for 30 years in South Africa, where he made his fortune and had become an influential friend of President Kruger. Also of strong personality, he was familiar with Rhodes and Barnato who competed together for control of gold and diamonds.

I conclude that gold was the symbol of the wealth of the country, its financial value was minor for Marks, and he wanted to do an operation both prestigious and original. The gold Tickey of Sammy Marks looks like a one-off operation in the history of money.

The copy presented by Stephan Welz is guaranteed as authentic by its perfect similarity with the silver Tickey. It is estimated 120 K ZAR.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Unsold. The market does not invest in atypical objects.