It is thought that these tokens where South Africa's first ever tokens. Issued by the Durban Club in 1860.
The Province of Natal, in South Africa, was so named in December 1497, when it was “discovered” by the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama – who was seeking a trade route to the East. More than three centuries passed when in 1823, and again in May 1824, Durban, on the Bay of Natal (or Port Natal) was first settled by a small group of (mainly British) hunters and traders under the leadership of Henry Francis Fynn, Lt. James Saunders King and Lt. Francis George Farewell.
At a meeting (August 1824) between Fynn and Farewell, and the Zulu King, Shaka, a land grant, some 2500 square miles in extent, was made by Shaka to the settlers of the area around the Bay of Natal, that is to F.G. Farewell & Co., and on 27th August 1824, Farewell hoisted the Union Jack and took possession of the land in the name of the British Crown, who, at that time, was King George IV. The area so granted was “25 miles to the north of the Bay, 25 miles to the south of the Bay, and 50 miles inland”.
The city of Durban thus dates from 1824 when the settlement was established on the northern shores of the bay near today's Farewell Square.
During a meeting of 35 European residents in Fynn's territory on 23 June 1835, it was decided to build a capital town and name it "D'Urban" after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, then governor of the Cape Colony.
By the mid 1850s D’Urban (as it was then called) was a thriving centre of trade on the east coast and the town was proclaimed as a Borough (15th May 1854) by the Lt. Governor, B.C.C. Pine, with an official population of 1,204.
Three months later, on 2nd August, eight members were elected to the first town Council, with George Christopher Cato as the first Mayor. The Agreement to form the Durban Club was signed by a group of the Town’s gentlemen on 14th June, 1854, thus making the Club one of South Africa’s oldest Clubs, if not the oldest Club.
The Durban Club was founded for gentlemen to meet over a game of billiards. The second clubhouse was erected by the Durban Club Building Company in 1863. Building operations for the third clubhouse started in October 1900 and were completed in the grand Edwardian Tradition in 1904. In 1936 improvements and additions comprising 23 bedrooms, a new bar and private dining room were constructed. During 2001 and 2002 a programme was undertaken to restore the Club's function rooms to their original splendour, and to update the accommodation facilities
The Agreement began “ We, the Undersigned, hereby agree to form a Club to be called the D’Urban Club for the purpose of playing at Billiards, Chess and as a Reading and News Room………..”.
In fact the Club can trace its origins back a further two years, when, in about June 1852 the Durban Quoits Club was formed, but two years later the gentlemen of that Club desired a less strenuous activity, and they formed the Durban Club, and transferred the assets of the Quoits Club (£4.5.4) over the Treasurer of the newly formed Club.
What is Quoits : Quoits (/ˈkɔɪts/ or /ˈkwɔɪts/) is a traditional game which involves the throwing of metal, rope or rubber rings over a set distance, usually to land over or near a spike (sometimes called a hob, mott or pin). The sport of quoits encompasses several distinct variations.
About Tokens :
There are three varieties of these tokens , the dies all where stamped with 1860 ...
The Milled Edge piece was the first - issued in 1860 (matching larger floral displays) and the word "NATAL" slightly lower than later examples.
The Plain Edge piece followed some time later
The White Metal piece was the last coin issued by the Durban Club
The Milled Edge Type 1 was made of Copper/Nickel and it's is 23mm x 1.6mm in thickness with a reeded edge. Type 2 is a smooth or plained edge token with same dimensions . Type 3 is also the same size but made out of a white metal type with smooth edge.
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The Durban Club 6d is one of South Africa's most sought after numismatic items.
From very humble beginnings, and two earlier Club buildings, the present (and third) building housing the Club was started in 1900, and completed in 1904, in grand Edwardian style (more specifically Baroque Revival), which was very popular at that time. The building was then described as being “one of the Town’s most exquisite buildings” – an accolade still true today. Indeed, the Club building is a listed building and a famous landmark in the City.
Having passed through the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, the First (1889) and Second (1899-1902) Anglo-Boer Wars, the Zulu Rebellion (1906), the Great War of 1914-1918 and the Second World War (1939-1945) the Club has hosted more than its fair share of famous personages, including George Cato; Prince Louis Napoleon; Thomas Baines; Cathcart Methven; Lord Chelmsford; Sir Garnet Wolseley; General Sir Henry Evelyn Wood, V.C.; General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C.; General Lord Roberts, V.C.; General Sir Robert Baden Powell; Sir Winston S. Churchill; Rt.Hon. Lord Milner and Field Marshal Earl Douglas Haig.
Of course many of Durban’s leading early citizens, including many Mayors of Durban have been members of the Club. Some early members whose names are famously associated with the City, include: Henry Francis Fynn; J.R. Saunders; Richard (Dick) King; John Dunn; Sir John Robinson; Sir Theopolis Shepstone; J. Ellis Brown and W. H. Acutt. So too are many of the famous families who built huge business empires in Durban, including: Baumann; Campbell; Crookes; Forsdick; Grindrod; Hepburn; Hulett; Marriott; McCarthy; Renaud; Rennie; Saunders and Shave.
It was in May, 1842, when the town had been attacked by the Boers, and besieged in the Fort, that Dick King escaped, and rode on horseback 970km (600 miles) in only ten days, to Grahamstown in the eastern Cape, to summon British re-inforcements, from those garrisoned there. A statue of Dick King on his horse, stands today on Victoria Embankment, about 100m from the front entrance of the Club, being the place from where his heroic and famous ride began.
There was a time, when the waters of the Bay came almost to the front boundary wall of the Club property; now, through reclamation, a double highway, footwalks and a railway line separate them.
Women were first allowed to set foot regularly³ in the Club only in 1904, when members voted (by 61 – 8) to allow ladies into the Club on one evening per month. Of course things have changed a great deal since then and naturally, ladies are welcomed at the Club, including as members.
Some famous men are honoured by the Club through their names. The main dining room is named for Lord Louis Mountbatten, whilst two of the function rooms are named the Churchill Room and the Jan Smuts Room. Within the walls of the Club are some beautiful pieces of furniture, paintings and other memorabilia, historical items and silverware. Once in the Club, the ambiance and history will be immediately apparent to any visitor.
In recent times, through the increasing decentralisation of the inner city area, many businesses have moved to the suburbs, and the need for a Club, as large as it was in the period between 1960 and 1990, has diminished.
It was agreed in 2002 to sell the Club building to a business called Durban Manor, and the Durban Club leased back, for a period of 99 years, a smaller part of the building more appropriate to members’ needs. This presently forms the Durban Club of today.
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This short history was written by Club Chairman, David Bennett in 2008.
Check out today's Durban Club HERE
AND if you thinking you want to join , here is how much it will hurt your pocket ...
2019 - One member who resides within a 64km radius of the Club House.Entrance fee: R1000 Annual subscription: R3150 - Read Here
It is said that the building was purchased by a well-connected young female African doctor who is apparently looking at the land as an investment with connections to the late Robert Mugabe , President and dictator of Zimbawe .
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