ref: 20191004
if you are not able to view this promo - here kindly click here:
https://www.randcoin.co.za/en/rsa-silver/2016-silver-2-and-a-half-proof-the-dolos-graded-pf69-ultra-cameo

Extremely Low Mintage:

147
of this "CPT" mint marked
tickey worldwide

A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT OF THE DOLOS TICKEYS
WERE STAMPED WITH THE "CPT" MINT MARK
AT THE CAPE TOWN FLOWER SHOW USING
THE "OOM PAUL" FLYPRESS, WHICH WAS
FLOWN DOWN FOR THE EVENT,

THE 2016 DOLOS WAS ONLY SOLD
AT THE CAPE TOWN FLOWER SHOW.
COIN COLLECTORS WERE NOT
AWARE OF THIS  NEW TICKEY ISSUE,
AS THEY COULD ONLY BE OBTAINED AT
THE FLOWER SHOW. THIS TICKEY IS AN
EXTREMELY RARE ISSUE TO FIND WITH
THE '"CPT" MINT MARK FLYPRESS STAMP.
  
 

Aubrey Kruger and the invention of the dolos
The man generally given most of the credit for inventing the dolos was a harbour
engineer at the Port of East London named Eric Merrifield. Yet the facts are
somewhat different.

Up until the invention of the dolosse, large rocks and blocks of concrete were the most common means of providing protection against the notorious waves of South Africa’s eastern coastline. But even these massive and heavy objects could be washed away or moved about, and what was needed was something that was relatively inexpensive but would resist and reduce the force of the waves while remaining in position.

Merrifield had little right to such a claim, other than that he was in charge of the engineering office at the time and had signing power for its development. It was, however, his request that set in motion the invention of something that has gone into use across the world as the most successful means ever of absorbing and controlling the energy produced by waves pounding away at natural or man-made areas of coastline.

Strangely, neither the inventor nor the port engineer sought to take out patents for what resulted from that request, although Merrifield was later to be granted, and he accepted, awards and recognition for which he was not really entitled. It appears that both men believed that, as they were employees of the state at the time, they were not entitled to reward for the invention.

One day in 1963 Merrifield entered into a discussion with his draughtsman about designing a structure made from concrete that would be capable of protecting the East London Harbour breakwater from the battering waves.

The draughtsman, 28-year old Aubrey Kruger, was a modest, quiet local man who rode to work every day on a red Vespa scooter from his home in Cambridge, one of East London’s suburbs. It was usual in those days at East London for people to return home at lunchtime each day and so, when Aubrey Kruger returned home by scooter that day the first thing he did was to commandeer his wife Daphne’s broomstick, from which he cut three pieces of wood which he nailed together in the shape of an H’ with one twisted leg.

His daughter Sandra says she can remember her mother being rather angry, and having to shoo a chicken out of the kitchen with a shortened broomstick. She says her father based his idea on the dubbeltjie thorn. After lunch he returned to work where he placed the wooden model on Merrifield’s desk.

According to Sandra, the name dolos came from her grandfather, Joseph Kruger, who was a carpenter working at the harbour dry dock at the time. He saw his son and others in the office playing with small models and asked “Wat speel julle met die dolos?” - dolos being the Afrikaans for knucklebones often used by sangomas and herbal doctors when divining. Children also used to play with these knucklebones.

The Kruger family still has an original model of the dolos made by Aubrey using plaster of paris and left to dry in the garden. Aubrey Kruger’s son Lance retains this model in his possession.The drawings for the first dolos were completed in 1963, based on the shape devised in wood by Aubrey Kruger. As port engineer Merrifield was responsible for overseeing the project and signing off all plans.

Kruger enjoyed seeing the development of his invention which resulted in much excitement in the family. At the end of 1966 Kruger was transferred to Durban and was given a copy of the amendment to the design dated July 12, 1966 drawn by Aubrey Kruger and signed by Mr Merrifield, as a farewell gift from the East London office.
The family lived happily in Durban for seven years and it was only after the Shell Award was given to Merrifield in 1972 and a Gold Medal award by the Associated Science and Technology Societies of South Africa for the invention of the dolos that Kruger felt saddened by his not being mentioned for his part in the design.
-------------------------------------------------------

TO RESERVE 

Call Randburg Coin Now (011) 789-2233 or (011) 789 -2234
Or email us by clicking on > This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 OFFER EXPIRES - FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER 2019 - and/or subject to availability.
E & OE - Subject to our terms and conditions.

KINDLY NOTE: Payment methods we accept are - cash upon collection or bank transfer only for this promo