The Rand Era

Decimal› 1961-present

First Series

1961–1964

Second Series

1965–1989

Third Series

1989–present

Core denominations

10c • 20c • 50c • R1 • R2 • R5

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Decimal Coinage (1961–present)

Reference overview of South Africa’s decimal coinage since the introduction of the rand, with a collector-grade visual atlas for fast denomination confirmation.

Jump to the Decimal Atlas Third Series

Key Facts

Rand introduced: 14 Feb 1961
£1 = R2
Bi-metal R5 introduced (modern era)

First Decimal Series (1961–1964)

Obverse: Jan van Riebeeck. Denominations included ½c and 2½c (“tickey”).

½c, 1c, 2½c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c

Second Decimal Series (1965–1989)

Key change: 2c replaced 2½c from 1965. Bilingual variations exist in the 1965–1969 window.

Third Decimal Series (1989–present)

Smaller, lighter coins; modern alloys; and the R5 bi-metal issue. This is the practical set most people encounter today.

Decimal Coin Atlas

Decimal coins only. Obverse and reverse shown side-by-side. Click images to open full size.

½ CentDecimal (early)

Half Cent obverse

Obverse

Half Cent reverse

Reverse

1 Cent1965–1969

1 Cent obverse 1965–1969

Obverse

1 Cent reverse 1965–1969

Reverse

2 Cent1965–1969

2 Cent obverse 1965–1969

Obverse

2 Cent reverse 1965–1969

Reverse

5 Cent1965–1969

5 Cent obverse 1965–1969

Obverse

5 Cent reverse 1965–1969

Reverse

10 CentDecimal

10 Cent obverse

Obverse

10 Cent reverse

Reverse

20 CentDecimal

20 Cent obverse

Obverse

20 Cent reverse

Reverse

50 CentDecimal

50 Cent obverse

Obverse

50 Cent reverse

Reverse

R1Decimal

R1 obverse

Obverse

R1 reverse

Reverse

R2Decimal

R2 obverse

Obverse

R2 reverse

Reverse

R5Decimal

R5 obverse

Obverse

R5 reverse

Reverse

Sources

Hern, Brian. Standard Catalogue of South African Coins.
South African Mint publications.
SARB historical summaries.

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