Important British and World Coins including Important Irish Coins from a Private Collection (Part II)

East Griqualand and Transkei, Ixopo, F.C. Larkan, aluminium 2 Shillings, Shilling, Sixpence and Threepence, c. 1907 (Hern 326a-d; Theron EG&T10; Ford –); Umzimkulu, S[trachan] & Co, brass 2 Shillings (2, different), Shilling, Sixpence and Threepence (Hern 582a, 582l, 582n, 582o, 582q; Theron EG&T9; Ford 5463-4) [9]. Hern 582a fine and rare, others very fine, two Larkan issues pierced (£50-70)

Mrs Frances Charlotte Larkan, née Baytoppe, widow of John Robert Larkan (1870-1906), proprietor of the Bont Rand farm, the first female to issue tokens in South Africa; the business was sold to Strachan & Co in 1929 and the family later moved to Donnybrook. Strachan & Co, founded as a partnership between Thomas and Donald Strachan and Charles Brisley in 1874, became one of the largest trading companies in the Transkei; their first tokens were issued c. 1875, Donald Strachan (1840-1915) getting the idea while staying at the Durban Club, which issued its own tokens (see lots 4405-6)