South African Coinage · The Sterling Era

Union coinage.

The return of a nationally distinctive South African coinage after the ZAR period — struck in Pretoria under three monarchs, spanning the last full non-decimal era before the Republic. Visually cohesive, historically rich, and one of the most collected series in the country.

1923 — 1960 · Three reigns · Pretoria Mint

Featured specimen

Obverse

Reverse

1948 Two-and-a-Half Shilling

Reign:George VI Year:1948 Type:Half Crown

The three reigns

In Chronological Order

I 1923 – 1936

George V

The most structurally complex part of the Union series. Multiple early design phases — the 1923–24 sparrows farthing, the 1925 Threepence variety, the transition from beaded to non-beaded shillings, the introduction of the Protea sixpence in 1925. For type collectors, the richest chapter.

II 1937 – 1952

George VI

Three coinages — first (1937–1947), second (1948–1950), third (1951–1952). The wartime and post-war years. Strong silver denominations, the 1947 Royal Visit Crown, and the 1948 half-crown shown above. The gateway into serious Union collecting.

III 1953 – 1960

Elizabeth II

The closing chapter — the young Queen's portrait on the obverse, the familiar Union reverse system retained. Politically close to the Republic, visually continuous with the Union past. The last of the sterling structure before decimalisation in 1961.

George V design transitions

1923 – 1936

The George V period covers three coinages across thirteen years, with multiple denomination-level design changes. A complete design-change set is materially harder than a date set — and far more representative of how the Union series actually evolved.

Denomination	First (1923–1925)	Second (1925–1930)	Third (1931–1936)
Farthing (¼d)	Two sparrows · 1923–24	—	—
Half Penny	Ship · 1923–26	Ship · 1926–30	Ship · 1931–36
Penny	Ship · 1923–24	Ship · 1926–30	Ship · 1931–36
Threepence	Mimosa wreath · 1923–25	New design · 1925–30	Continued · 1931–36
Sixpence	Wreath · 1923–24	Protea · 1925–30	Protea · 1931–36
Shilling	Hope, beaded circle · 1923–24	Hope, no beaded circle · 1926–30	Hope · 1931–36
Florin (2/-)	Uncrowned shield · 1923–30	Same	Same · 1931–36
Half Crown (2/6)	Crowned shield · 1923–25	Crowned shield · 1926–30	Crowned shield · 1931–36

The key issue

George VI, 1947

Landmark Commemorative

The 1947 Royal Visit Crown

Struck on the Oom Paul Press at the Pretoria Mint, the 1947 Crown bears the conjoined busts of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth — issued to mark the 1947 royal tour of South Africa. It remains one of the most widely recognised commemorative-style issues of the Union era, and a piece serious Union collectors prioritise early in the build. The visual weight, the historical moment, and the Pretoria provenance combine to make it the standout single coin of the George VI period.

Five routes in

For Collectors

Route 01

The type set

The most approachable route — one example of each principal design. Affordable enough to complete in mid-grades, instructive enough to teach the visual language of the entire series. The standard starting point.

Route 02

Date runs by denomination

Pick a single denomination — half crown, florin, shilling, sixpence — and complete every date from 1923 to 1960. Structured, finite, and deeply rewarding.

Route 03

The design-change set

Materially harder than a type set. Includes every documented design transition — beaded vs unbeaded shillings, mimosa-wreath threepences, the early sparrows farthings. Far more representative of the full Union story.

Route 04

Condition rarity

Bronze and silver in premium mint state can become surprisingly scarce — particularly George V bronzes and original-surface George VI silver. The route for collectors who value preservation over completeness.

Route 05

The key focus areas

The 1925 Threepence, the 1923–24 farthings, the 1947 Royal Visit Crown, top-grade George VI silver. Build a smaller collection of standout pieces rather than a complete run.

The references

Standard Sources

Brian HernHern's Standard Catalogue of South African Coins, Patterns & Tokens (annual edition).
PCGS Set RegistrySouth African Union series references and major collection records.
Numismatic auction archivesHeritage, Spink, and South African specialist sales — realised price record.

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