South African Coins

Reverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Halfcrown

South Africa

Countries

Obverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Halfcrown

Reverse of 1931 South Africa Proof Florin

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

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Silver
Five Shillings (Crown) 1947 - 1950	38.61	28.2800	800	.7274
Five Shillings 1951 - 1960	38.61	28.2800	500	.4546
Halfcrown 1892 - 1897	32	14.1400	925	.4205
Halfcrown 1923 - 1950	32	14.1400	800	.3637
Halfcrown 1951 - 1960	32	14.1400	500	.2273
Florin 1892 - 1897	28.50	11.3100	925	.3364
Florin 1923 - 1950	28.50	11.3100	800	.2909
Florin 1951 - 1960	28.50	11.3100	925	.3364

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

Date	Denomination	Mintage	Grade	Avail	Price £	Price US$
1931	Halfcrown	62	Proof - about FDC	Sold	£950	$1450
1931	Florin	62	Proof - about FDC	Sold	£900	$1375
1952	Crown	1,698,000	Uncirculated	Yes	£9.95	$14.95
1952	Crown	1,698,000	EF	Yes	£7.95	$11.95

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £2.50 or
Fully Insured £6 (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.

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