S Africa: 1902 Upington Border Scouts 2 Shillings Cloth Note PMG Certified VF20

S Africa: 1902 Upington Border Scouts 2 Shillings Cloth Note PMG Certified VF20

History/Background Information: Issued as payment for the Upington Border Scouts by the British C.O. Major Birkbeck. Each note was handwritten and handsigned and bore a hand rubber stamp on the left hand side of the note. The notes were printed in the following denominations: 2 Shillings, 10 Shillings, 2 Pounds and 5 Pounds. All were made on unbleached calico or khaki cloth material however I have personally seen a 2 Shillings made on red material which I am told is probably unique and the only one known to have survived. The red material cloth was used for the notes that were used to pay higher ranking members of the Scouts. In the end, as the tale goes, even tablecloths were cut up and used to make these unbelievable pieces. The vast majority of these notes were redeemed and then destroyed at various banks throughout the country some as far afield as Natal.

Only a handful of these notes have come up for sale over the years suggesting that a very limited number were printed and an even lower number having survived in the years succeeding the Second Boer War.

Certification: PMG VF20 Net (Choice Very Fine)

Condition Notes: Certified as VF20 by PMG. A stunning rendition of this rare cloth issue. Minor holes and rust staining add to the character of the note without detracting from it's appeal.

Mintage: Unknown

Reference: Hern No 432