*Bechuanaland Protectorate, Anglo-Boer War, March 1900, Mafeking Siege Ten Shillings Note, Serial 5092, Croxley Watermarked Paper, Baden-Powell Issue*
An original Ten Shillings “Mafeking Siege Note”, issued in March 1900 during the famous siege of Mafeking in the Second Boer War. Printed in green ink on thin commercial writing paper and bearing serial number 5092, repeated at left and right. The design is headed “Mafeking Siege Note” with denomination panels “10s.” at the upper corners and the central text:
“This note is good for Ten Shillings (Sterling) during the siege and will be exchanged for coin on resumption of civil law at the Standard Bank, Mafeking.”
The lower section contains two vignette illustrations depicting the defence of the town: to the left a seated figure beside artillery equipment, and to the right a soldier operating a field gun marked “VR” (Victoria Regina), referencing Queen Victoria and the improvised artillery used by the garrison.
Beneath the illustrations appears the issuing authority:
“Issued by authority of Col. R. S. S. Baden-Powell, Commanding Frontier Forces.”
The example retains the characteristic blue facsimile signature of Captain H. Greener, Chief Paymaster, at lower right. Beneath the issuing line at lower left is a faint contemporary handwritten endorsement in blue ink, likely applied during later banking or redemption procedures. The printed redemption text refers to exchange at the Standard Bank, Mafeking, whose manager during the siege was Robert Urry.
Along the bottom margin the printer’s imprint “Townshend & Son, Printers, Mafeking” is faintly visible.
Watermark & Paper:
When viewed against strong light the paper reveals a partial vertical watermark reading “CROXLEY.” This identifies the sheet as commercial writing paper produced by John Dickinson & Co. at Croxley Paper Mill, Hertfordshire.
During the siege, the garrison lacked official banknote paper and instead printed the emergency currency on whatever commercial stationery was available locally, including Croxley writing paper. The watermark appears vertically beneath the lettering of “Shillings,” consistent with notes cut from larger watermarked sheets. A faint portion of the Croxley lion trademark crest is also visible when the note is backlit, a feature associated with genuine period paper stock.
Approx. Measurements – 16 cm × 12 cm.
Historical Note:
This note was issued during the Siege of Mafeking (October 1899 – May 1900), one of the most celebrated episodes of the Second Boer War. The frontier town of Mafeking in the Bechuanaland Protectorate was surrounded by Boer forces for 217 days, isolating it from normal supplies of coin and currency.
To maintain local commerce and pay troops and civilians, the garrison under Robert Baden-Powell authorised the creation of emergency paper money known as siege notes. These were printed locally by Townshend & Son using improvised presses and whatever stationery was available. The notes promised redemption at the Standard Bank of Mafeking once civil authority was restored following the relief of the town.
Approximately 6,000 Ten Shilling siege notes were issued during the Siege of Mafeking, making surviving examples scarce relics of this famous episode of the Second Boer War.
*Condition*
The note displays circulation wear consistent with emergency currency produced and used during a prolonged siege. The paper shows heavy horizontal and vertical folds, edge wear, small tears and areas of thinning, together with general toning and staining. The printed design, serial number 5092, and Greener signature remain clearly visible. The Croxley watermark lettering and partial crest can be seen when the note is held against strong light. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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