Watch List notes:

Natal, Durban. Brass Sixpence 1861, issued for Blackwood Couper & Co., Hern-64b, reeded edge, MS63 NGC, a beautiful and very choice example having its silver wash entirely intact. Priced in the Hern reference at R3,500 in VF, obviously rare, and rarer still in this wonderful grade. The store which used this token (seen depicted above the date) sold general merchandise and arranged shipping; it existed from 1834 to 1864, when it burned down. The company issued three types of tokens -- one for threepence, one for sixpence, and another for a shilling -- and did so because of the extreme shortage of British coins in the colony at the time. Most known examples of these tokens show damage from the fire. All feature the original version of the name of the city, D'Urban, which name it took in 1835 in honor of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, having originally been called Port Natal. Interesting as a piece of local history. A collecting opportunity for the quality-oriented buyer.

Estimate: 600.00-800.00 USD