First Issue
1967 (R1, R2, R10, R20)
Added Later
R5 (1975), R50 (1984), R100 (1984)
Printer
South African Bank Note Company
Governors
de Jongh, de Kock, Stals
Van Riebeeck Series Banknotes (1967–1992)
The longest‑running South African banknote series, introduced in 1967 and named after the first Dutch governor of Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck, whose portrait graced the obverse of all denominations. The series evolved over 25 years, with new denominations and signature varieties reflecting the country's economic and political changes.
Key Facts
- Replaced the first decimal notes (1961–1966)
- All notes printed by SABN, Pretoria
- Watermark: Jan van Riebeeck portrait
- Language balance shifted from Afrikaans to English over time
- R2 and R5 notes later replaced by coins (1990s)
Overview
When South Africa became a republic in 1961, the first decimal banknotes were issued, still bearing the portrait of Jan van Riebeeck [citation:1]. In 1967, a new series was introduced, featuring refined designs and printed entirely by the newly established South African Bank Note Company in Pretoria [citation:2][citation:7].
The series underwent several revisions over 25 years:
- First issue (1967–1977): R1, R2, R10, R20.
- Second issue (1975–1985): R5 added; design changes.
- Third issue (1984–1991): R50 and R100 introduced.
- Final issues (1990–1992): Signature of C.L. Stals; new colours and security features.
Denominations and Designs
| Denomination | Colour | Obverse Design | Reverse Design | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Green | Jan van Riebeeck; bilingual text | Mining scene [citation:4] | 127 x 63 mm [citation:2] |
| R2 | Blue | Jan van Riebeeck; grapes, leaves, vines | Ear of corn; Gariep hydroelectric dam near Norvalspont, high‑voltage transmission towers [citation:2] | 127 x 63 mm [citation:2] |
| R5 | Purple (later purple/orange) | Jan van Riebeeck; Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria; trees and covered wagons pulled by cattle [citation:7] | Modern power plant cooling towers and town; train engine with ore cars; mine buildings and smokestacks [citation:7] | 134 x 68 mm [citation:7] |
| R10 | Red | Jan van Riebeeck | Trade and industry themes | — |
| R20 | Purple/Brown | Jan van Riebeeck | — | — |
| R50 | Orange | Jan van Riebeeck | Added 1984 [citation:1] | — |
| R100 | Blue | Jan van Riebeeck | Added 1984 [citation:1] | — |
Language note: Earlier issues had Afrikaans predominating over English; later issues (especially under Stals) shifted to English predominating over Afrikaans [citation:2][citation:8].
Signature Varieties
The series spans the terms of three Governors of the South African Reserve Bank, each with distinct signature varieties.
Dr. T.W. de Jongh (1967–1980)
Term: 1967–1980
Notes: First issues of R1, R2, R5, R10, R20. His signature appears on notes with Afrikaans‑predominant text [citation:2][citation:7].
Example auction result: A 2 Rand note (Pick 118) sold for £38 in a mixed lot (London Coins, 2023) [citation:3].
Dr. G.P.C. de Kock (1981–1989)
Term: 1981–1989
Notes: Oversaw the introduction of R50 and R100 in 1984. His signature appears on many common varieties [citation:1].
Example auction result: A 1 Pound note (1946) with de Kock signature sold for £38 in a mixed lot (London Coins, 2023) [citation:3].
Dr. C.L. Stals (1989–1992)
Term: 1989–1992 (final years of the series)
Notes: His signature appears on later printings, with English predominating over Afrikaans and updated security features. The 5 Rand note (Pick 119e) from 1990–1994 is an example [citation:8].
Example auction result: A 5 Rand note (1990–1994, Stals signature) sold for £38 in a mixed lot (London Coins, 2023) [citation:3].
The Portrait Error
The portrait on all Van Riebeeck series banknotes is not actually Jan van Riebeeck, but a Dutch military officer named Bartholomeus Vermuyden who died two years before Van Riebeeck sailed for the Cape. This misidentification originated in 1884 and was only formally corrected in 1985 – by which time the image had already been immortalized on South African currency for decades.
Security Features
- Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck, visible when held to light [citation:4].
- Security thread: Solid thread (later windowed) embedded in the paper [citation:4].
- Perfect registration: Some issues featured see‑through print registration [citation:1].
- Microprinting: Introduced on later issues.
- Intaglio printing: Raised ink on the main design elements.
Collecting and Value Guide
Values vary significantly based on condition, signature variety, and prefix. The Greysheet catalog lists 318 distinct entries for the South African Reserve Bank series, with CPG® values ranging from $1.00 to $3,200.00 [citation:2]. The following estimates are based on recent auction results and dealer listings:
| Denomination | Year / Signature | Condition | Estimated Value (UNC) | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 1973–1975 (de Jongh) | UNC | €25 (~$36) [citation:9] | eBay sale [citation:9] |
| R2 | 1976 (de Jongh) | UNC | $5–10 | Greysheet [citation:2] |
| R5 | 1975 (de Jongh) | UNC | $10–20 | Greysheet [citation:7] |
| R5 | 1990 (Stals) | UNC | $5–15 | Greysheet [citation:8] |
| R10 | 1967–1992 | UNC | $20–40 | Market average |
| R20 | 1967–1992 | UNC | $40–80 | Market average |
| R50 | 1984 (de Kock) | UNC | $30–50 | Market average |
| R100 | 1984 (de Kock) | UNC | $50–100 | Market average |
Sources
- Business Tech. "How South Africa’s banknotes have changed: 1994 to 2023" (2023) [citation:1].
- Greysheet. "Wmk: Jan van Riebeeck Prefix D/133 - D/172 Intro: 1976 2 rand Values" [citation:2].
- London Coins. Auction realised prices [citation:3].
- LinkedIn / Brandon Bertolli. "Banknotes and their not-so-obvious features" (2025) [citation:4].
- Greysheet. "Wmk: Jan van Riebeeck Prefix F/229 - F/301 (odd denominators) Intro: 1975 5 rand Values" [citation:7].
- Greysheet. "Sig 7: Stals Prefix AA - CK Intro: 1990 5 rand Values" [citation:8].
- eBay listing: 1973–1975 1 Rand UNC [citation:9].
- South African Reserve Bank. "History of banknotes and coin" [citation:6].