The Sammy Marks Tickey is amongst the most sought after and rarest South African gold coins. Of the original 215 minted, only 32 are known to be graded. A beautiful gold coin, very popular among coin collectors. The Sammy Marks Tickeys were never circulated.
The Sammy Marks Tickey fetched a staggering R1,5million in 2012. In 2017, one was auctioned on BidorBuy for R399 000. Classified as Ultra Rare, these coins are certainly worth a small fortune.
You may want to know why Sammy Marks Tickeys were minted and why they weren’t circulated? You’re probably also wondering how to go about buying or selling yours and how to find out if the coin is graded or not. Read on for the answers to your questions.
What Is The History of the Sammy Marks Tickey?
Sammy Marks was born in 1843 in Russia. An excellent business man who lived in England before travelling to Cape Town in 1869 after learning about the diamonds found in Kimberley. He was a trader and later became and very well known mining tycoon.
After moving to Pretoria, Marks became very good friends with President Paul Kruger and an unofficial financial advisor to the country.
To show his appreciation for all Sammy Marks had done, President Kruger gave him the opportunity to run the mint for a day. Using gold mined in his own gold mines, Sammy Marks minted 215 of these now very famous tickeys using the same dies that made the 1898 silver 3 pence.
The Sammy Marks Tickeys only exist in gold and are said to have been minted to give as gifts to the Volksraad, family & friends.
What are the specifications of the Sammy Marks Tickeys?
- Year – 1898
- Coin – Sammy Marks Tickey
- Diameter – 16,3mm
- Mass- 2,611 grammes
- Edge – Plain
- Designer – Otto Schultz
- Metal Content: Gold 916,67 and Copper 83,33
- Mintage Figure: 215
- Obverse Design: President Paul Kruger side profile
- Reverse Design: Laurel wreaths around the date and the figure 3
How do you know if your 1898 Sammy Marks Tickey has been graded?
A coin that has been graded will be sealed in a tamper-proof, solid plastic/acrylic, airtight capsule to make sure that the coin is preserved in good condition.
Inside the airtight capsule, the following information will be displayed:
- Name of the Grading Company
- Grade
- Serial Number
- Country of Origin
- Year
- Denomination
If you have an 1898 Sammy Marks Tickey, where could I sell this coin?
As these coins are classified as ultra-rare and very valuable, you need to be very careful when attempting to advertise and sell your coin. Online platforms can attract criminals.
That being said, there are many avenues that you can explore to safely sell your coin. The first step would be to get your coin graded by one of our countries most reputable coin grading companies if the coin is not one of the 32 that were already graded.
Who can grade my 1898 Sammy Marks Tickey or tell me if it is already graded?
“When it comes to coins (and South African coins in particular), the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are the two most reputable and credible companies in the industry” – www.southcapecoins.co.za
After your coin is graded you could possibly set up your coin on auction and sell to the highest bidder. You may also consider approaching reputable coin dealers who may be interested in purchasing your coin or know of someone that is looking for the coin you are selling.
Consider approaching coin collectors and dealers not only in South Africa but internationally too.
Conclusion
If you are the proud owner or coin collector in possession of one of these rare coins it is indeed something to treasure and be proud of. If in good condition, and grade, you can sell this coin for a very large sum.
Before deciding to sell your coin, carefully research the selling platforms you intend to use, and with the help of reputable coin dealers make your plans accordingly.
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