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2 Shillings
| Issuer | Colonel R.S.S. Baden-Powell (Commanding the Rhodesian Forces), Mafeking Siege |
|---|---|
| Year | 1900 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 2 Shillings |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Reverse is plain unprinted paper with no design elements, lettering, or security features. |
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| Signature(s) | H. Greener, Chief Paymaster |
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| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
Among the most famous emergency issues in British colonial numismatic history, the Mafeking siege notes were produced during the 217-day Boer encirclement of the town that ran from October 1899 to May 1900. Baden-Powell authorized the notes to maintain a functioning local economy after conventional currency ran critically short inside the perimeter. T. & Son — almost certainly Townshend & Son, the local printer — worked with whatever materials were available, which is why the paper quality varies considerably across surviving examples.
Forgeries were attempted during the siege itself, and Greener's signature as Chief Paymaster was the primary authentication device. The notes were technically redeemable after relief, though many were retained as souvenirs rather than presented for payment — which ironically makes genuinely circulated examples harder to find than uncirculated ones.