What this page covers
Topic: Bilingual Varieties (1965-1969)
Purpose: Identification, specifications, mintages, and collector guidance.
How to use: Quick facts first, then the detailed tables below.
Coin Reference
Jardines Galleries
Coins → Decimal → Bilingual Varieties (1965‑1969)
Two Languages, Two Coins
Years
1965‑1969
Languages
English ("South Africa") and Afrikaans ("Suid Afrika")
Key Rarities
Alternative language proofs
Portrait changes
Verwoerd (1967), Swart (1968), Dönges (1969)
Bilingual Varieties (1965‑1969)
The only years when South African coins were struck in a single language per coin – either English or Afrikaans, following the Belgian model.
Key Facts
- Two distinct varieties per year
- Alternative language proofs are ultra‑rare
- 1967 Verwoerd portrait
- 1969 Dönges – last silver R1
Background
Following decimalisation, the second series (1965‑1989) initially featured separate English and Afrikaans inscriptions, following the Belgian model. From 1970, coins returned to bilingual inscriptions. Each denomination was struck in both languages, creating distinct varieties for collectors.
20 Cents Example (KM#69.1 / KM#69.2)
- 1965 English – 29,235,000
- 1965 Afrikaans – 29,210,000
- 1966 English – 4,049,000
- 1966 Afrikaans – 4,074,000
- 1967 English – 58,000 (Verwoerd portrait)
- 1967 Afrikaans – 83,000
- 1968 English – 75,000 (Swart)
- 1968 Afrikaans – 75,000
- 1969 English – 9,952 (Dönges, very scarce)
- 1969 Afrikaans – 21,952
Alternative Language Proofs
Proof sets each year included only one language. The "alternative language" proofs were struck in tiny quantities and are ultra‑rarities.
- 1965 20c Afrikaans proof – unique at NGC, valued at 6,000 Rand (Hern)
- 1965 R1 Afrikaans – very rare
- 1966 R1 English – rare
- 1969 R1 English – rare
Portrait Varieties
- 1967 – Dr. H.F. Verwoerd (assassinated 1966)
- 1968 – C.R. Swart (first State President)
- 1969 – T.E. Dönges (died before taking office)
Sources
- Hern, Brian. Standard Catalogue of South African Coins.
- Coin Varieties (Online Coin Club).
- Stack's Bowers ANA 2016 (1965 Afrikaans proof).
- Western Cape Numismatic Society research.
Revision History
22 Feb 2026Initial build