Coins from South Africa

The Republic of South Africa, situated at the southern part of the African continent, was founded on 31 May 1961, away from British rule and introduced a decimal coin series as a result. However, the predecessor of the Republic was the Union of South Africa, formed on 31 May 1910 out of 4 British Colonies: The Transvaal, Free State, Cape Colony and Natal. The first Europeans, the Dutch (1652-1795, 1803-1806), settled in the Cape in 1652, after which the English came (1795-1803, 1806-1960). Today, after the democratic elections of 1994, South Arica has three Capitols, Pretoria as the executive, Cape Town as the Legislative and Bloemfontein as the judicial. In 1923 the first coins in the Pound Sterling series were issued, depicting the British Monarch. Like all Pound sterling series, 12 Pennies make a Shilling and 20 Shillings a Pound. With the introduction of the decimal series in 1961, decimal coins of equal size and value to the Pound series were produced to ease the transition (1961 to 1964). In 1965 the second decimal series were introduced, radically reducing the size of the coins. In 1989/90 the current and third decimal series of coins were introduced, again reducing size, introducing a circulation 2 Rand coin for the first time and the first 5 Rand coin to follow in 1994. The Kruger Rand, made of pure gold, was the first (starting in 1967) international investment coin produced worldwide, and is still very popular. The country has 11 official languages (resulting in 10 different spellings of the name South Africa), and these are rotated on the coins from year to year. With a size of 1,221,037 km² (471,445 square miles) it is the 24th largest country in the world, boasting a population of more than 57 million people. South Africa is the birthplace of the legendary Nelson Mandela, who served as president from 1994 to 1999.
Wikidata: Q258

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Pound (1825-1961)

12 Pence = 1 Shilling • 20 Shillings = 1 Pound

1 Pound - Elizabeth II (1st portrait)
1953-1960

Non-circulating coin
Gold (.917) • 7.99 g • ⌀ 22.0 mm
KM# 54, Hern# S349-356, N# 89758

Rand (1961-date)

100 Cents = 1 Rand

Available for swap ½ Cent (1st decimal series)
1961-1964

Standard circulation coin
Brass • 5.6 g • ⌀ 25.6 mm
KM# 56, Hern# R1-4, N# 3201
Available for swap ½ Cent (SOUTH AFRICA - SUID-AFRIKA)
1970-1983

Standard circulation coin
Bronze • 2.0 g • ⌀ 16.21 mm
KM# 81, Hern# D1-6, 8/9, 11/12, 14, N# 2878
Available for swap ½ Cent (Jacobus Johannes Fouché)
1976

Non-circulating coin: The end of Jacobus Johannes Fouche's presidency
Bronze • 2.0 g • ⌀ 16.21 mm
KM# 90, Hern# D7, N# 25716
Available for swap ½ Cent (Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs)
1979

Non-circulating coin: The end of Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs' presidency
Bronze • 2.0 g • ⌀ 16.21 mm
KM# 97, Hern# D10, N# 25715
Available for swap ½ Cent (Balthazar J. Vorster)
1982

Non-circulating coin: The end of Balthazar Johannes Vorster's presidency
Bronze • 2.0 g • ⌀ 16.21 mm
KM# 108, Hern# D13, N# 32285
Available for swap 1 Cent (1st decimal series)
1961-1964

Standard circulation coin
Brass • 9.42 g • ⌀ 31.0 mm
KM# 57, Hern# R5-9, Schön# 78.2, N# 2879
Available for swap 1 Cent (English Legend - SOUTH AFRICA)
1965-1969

Standard circulation coin
Bronze • 3.0 g • ⌀ 19.05 mm
KM# 65.1, Hern# D16, 19, 21, 25, N# 5966
Available for swap 1 Cent (Afrikaans Legend - SUID-AFRIKA)
1965-1969

Standard circulation coin
Bronze • 3.0 g • ⌀ 19.05 mm
KM# 65.2, Hern# D17, 20, 22, 26, N# 1759
Available for swap 1 Cent (Charles Swart; English Legend - SOUTH AFRICA)
1968

Circulating commemorative coin: The end of Charles Robberts Swart's presidency
Bronze • 3.0 g • ⌀ 19.05 mm
KM# 74.1, Hern# D23, N# 8259

The Numista referee for coins of this issuer is Pcoetzee5.

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