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South African Coins Coins Index Chard 24 Carat Home Page

Obverse of 1892 South Africa One Penny
Obverse of 1892 South Africa One Penny Reverse of 1892 South Africa One Penny
Reverse of 1892 South Africa One Penny
Reverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Halfcrown
Reverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Halfcrown
South Africa
Countries
Obverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Halfcrown
Obverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Halfcrown

Reverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Florin
Reverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Florin

Obverse of 1952 Commemorative 5 Shillings (Crown)
Obverse of 1952 Commemorative 5 Shillings (Crown)

Reverse of 1952 Commemorative 5 Shillings (Crown)
Reverse of 1952 Commemorative 5 Shillings (Crown)

Coins of South Africa

A Brief History
First sighted by Bartholemew Diaz in 1488, South Africa was not settled until 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company, and subsequently by other Dutch, German and French. These early settlers formed the Afrikaaner portion of the population. It was captured by the British in 1795 although still contested until 1814. From 1836 many of the Dutch farmers (Boers) migrated northward to avoid British domination, and founded their own independent republics of the Transvaal, Zuid Afrikaansche Republik, and the Orange Free State. After diamonds and gold were discovered in these areas, the Cecil Rhodes and the British extended their influence over these areas also, leading to the two Boer Wars from 1880 to 1902. Other colonies were added to form the Union of South Africa in 1910, becoming a sovereign state in 1934. Friction continued between the Afrikaaner and English speaking peoples, leading in 1961 to the conversion to a republic and the withdrawal of South Africa from the British Commonwealth. South Africa's apartheid policy became notorious, but by 1994, Nelson Mandela became president following the first free election for all people of all colours, and South Africa was re-admitted shortly afterwards to the Commonwealth of Nations.

Coins
South Africa's first coinage was issued in 1892 as the Zuid Afrikaansche Republik or South African Republic. This used the denominations and specifications of British coins of the same era. The Union of South Africa started issuing coins in 1923, again with similar denominations. On the formation of the Republic in 1961, a new decimal coinage was adopted with 100 cents equal to 1 rand. In recent years the value of the rand has declined drastically which appears surprising for a country with vast resources of gold, diamonds and other high value commodities. In 1967, South Africa invented the concept of a one ounce gold bullion coin, the krugerrand. This was actively marketed as a cheap and simple way to invest in gold. It was immediately successful having been produced by the million and exported almost world wide to become one of the world's most familiar gold coins.

Specifications
DenominationDiameterWeightAlloySilver
Five Shillings (Crown) 1947 - 195038.6128.28000.800 Silver.7274
Five Shillings 1951 - 196038.6128.28000.500 Silver.4546
Halfcrown 1892 - 18973214.14000.925 Silver.4205
Halfcrown 1923 - 19503214.14000.800 Silver.3637
Halfcrown 1951 - 19603214.14000.500 Silver.2273
Florin 1892 - 189728.5011.31000.925 Silver.3364
Florin 1923 - 195028.5011.31000.800 Silver.2909
Florin 1951 - 196028.5011.31000.925 Silver.3364
Shilling235.660.800 Silver.1455
Penny 1892 - 189831 Bronze 

Notes
Diam = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Weight in grams.
Fineness = Silver content in parts per thousand.
Silver = Actual fine silver content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability
All prices on our websites are subject to fluctuation and availability. Please check before ordering.
DateDenominationMintageGradeAvailPrice £Price US$
1892Penny83,000 Yes£Ask$Ask
1931Halfcrown62Proof - about FDCSold£950$1450
1931Florin62Proof - about FDCSold£900$1375
1934Shilling821,000aVFYes£10$15
1952Crown1,698,000UncirculatedYes£30$50
1952Crown1,698,000EFYes£25$40

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA


Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
Order Form - EU
Order Form - Rest of World

For other countries or if you have an enquiry about our South African Coins, please contact us.


...at the Official Issue Prices

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