Token 10 - SWA - South West Africa – C.D.M. 2/6 Company Token, Lüderitz, c. 1920–1930

Token 10 - SWA - South West Africa – C.D.M. 2/6 Company Token, Lüderitz, c. 1920–1930

Original brass company token of the Consolidated Diamond Mines of South West Africa Ltd. (C.D.M.), associated with the diamond-mining industry of South West Africa.

The token bears “C.D.M.” on one side and “2/6” on the other, representing 2 shillings and 6 pence. The design is enclosed by a dotted border. Brass, round, approximately 30 mm in diameter.

The C.D.M. series is associated with Lüderitz and the diamond-mining operations of South West Africa. The tokens were used in company canteens and shops on the diamond-mining premises, forming part of the internal token currency used by the mining community. The series is known in denominations including 1d, 3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/-, 2/6 and 10/-, with the 10/- being oval and the 1d square.

Catalogue: Hern p.66; the 2/6 is documented as part of the C.D.M. series from Lüderitz, German South-West Africa, with the series generally dated to approximately 1920–1930. (

A scarce and historically interesting example of company/token currency connected with the early diamond-mining industry of South West Africa, representing the commercial and social history of the diamond-mining settlements of the Lüderitz/Sperrgebiet region.