18. DIORAMA OF THE FIELD MINT AT THE EMPIRE EXHIBITION 1936

In 1936, a diorama117 of the State Field Mint with the mountains of Pilgrim's Rest in the background was set up for the stand of the Pretoria branch of the Royal Mint at the Empire Exhibition in Johannesburg.118 The head of the Mint, Mr Becklake, took a photo of the original press at the Transvaal Gold Mining Company's workshop in Pilgrim's Rest, especially for the exhibition.
 

The diorama of the mine workshop where the Veldpond was made
 

The mine's punch machine as photographed by Becklake
for the Empire Exhibition in Johannesburg




117Photo from Ons Erfenis by M Esterhuysen.

118Becklake, JT. Real to Rand  1965:50.
 
  INDEX
   
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Pilgrim's rest
4. Contemplating the making of gold pounds
5. Permission for establishing a government mint
6. ZAR field mint at Pilgrim's rest
7. Workshop and machines
8. Process of making veldpond
9. Cabinet ministers visited Pilgrim's rest
10. The mint commission
11. Final product
12. Medals awarded
13. Veldpond as a reminder
14. How many veldpond were minted?
15. Mining property left behind in excellent condition
16. The last time the dies were used
17. Marshall's book
18. Diorama of the field mint at the empire exhibition 1936
19. Conclusion
20. References