1897, South African Republic (ZAR). Beautiful Silver 2-½ Shillings (½ Crown)
Mint Year: 1897Obverse: Bearded bust of Paul Kruger as President left.
Reverse: Eagle perched on round coat-of-arms within foliagee, six flags in background, inscribed banner and rose below.
Banner Inscription: EENDRAGT MAAKT MAAKT ("Unity makes strength")
Legend: ZUID AFRIK. REPUB. 1897 * 2½ SHILLINGS *
In 1900 the ZAR was annexed by the United Kingdom during the Second Boer War although the official surrender of the territory only took place at the end of the war, on 31 May 1902. In 1910 it became the Transvaal Province of the Union of South Africa.
The first president of the South African Republic was Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, elected in 1857, son of the famous Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, who commanded the Boers to Victory at the Battle of Blood River.
The capital was established at Pretoria (founded 1855), though for a brief period Potchefstroom served as the seat of government. The parliament, the Volksraad, had 24 members.
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