Fifty Cents, Nickel, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

The obverse of the coin displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre, as granted to the Union of South Africa by King George V and later amended by the British College of Arms. It contains representation of the four provinces within the Union.

The Coat of Arms features a shield quartered, each quarter a symbol of one of the four provinces of South Africa. An ox wagon represents Transvaal Province, a woman with an anchor represents Cape Province, two wildebeests represent Natal Province and an orange tree represents the Orange Free State Province. The crest of the arms features a lion holding four bound sticks. The supporters are a springbok and a gemsbok. Below the arms, the Latin motto, EX UNITATE VIRES (translated at first as "Union Is Strength", but from 1961 translated as "Unity Is Strength").

Around left, the name of the country in English: SOUTH AFRICA; around right, the name in Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA.

Below, the date of issue: * [year] *.

The reverse of the coin depicts three flowers native to South Africa: an Arum Lily, an African Lily and a "Bird of Paradise" (Strelitzia). Representing the national flag, this flower design was modelled by Tommy Sasseen from a drawing by Cynthna Letty.

To the right, the numeral value 50 (Fifty Cents).

Below right, the initials of the designer T.S. (for Tommy Sasseen).