Five Cents, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

The first obverse, designed by Willie Myburg and used between 1961 and 1964, features the portrait of Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck, known as Jan van Riebeeck (1619-1677), Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town and considered by many people to be the founding father of the South African nation. The designer's initials WM are incuse on the shoulder truncation.

Around left, the motto UNITY IS STRENGTH in English; separated from that by two decorative rosettes, around right the same in Afrikaans: EENDRAG MAAK MAG.

The second obverse (1965 - 1969), designed by Tommy Sasseen, has a different portrait of Jan van Riebeeck - facing right; the legend is in one language only - either SOUTH AFRICA or SUID-AFRIKA, with both versions issued every year.

The third obverse (1970 - 2002) displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre. Below it and to the right, in small letters the initials of the designer T.S. (for Tommy Sasseen).

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

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

With the introduction of the steel version in 1990, the design of the Coat of Arms was slightly revised and the order of the legends was reversed. In 1996, the legend was changed to one language only: AFRIKA - DZONGA in Tsonga.

In 2000, the obverse was updated to the new Coat of Arms of the country, and an annual rotation of the language of the legend was introduced.

The first reverse design (1961 - 1964) - a new rendition of the original sixpence reverse - shows at its centre a king protea flower in bloom. To the right of the base of it's stem, the designer's initials KG (for George Kruger Gray). Around, five bundles of fasces - their number matching the value, just as the original design of the sixpence had six bundles.

Above, the date of issue: · [year] ·.

Around left and around right, respectively the legend SOUTH AFRICA in English and SUID-AFRIKA in Afrikaans.

Around below, flanked by two rosettes, the value and denomination * 5 c. * (Five Cents).

The second reverse (1965 - 1989) depicts a Blue Crane bird, looking right. To the right of the bird, the value and denomination 5 c (Five Cents).

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

The third reverse (1990 - 2011) bears a similar design, but the bird faces left and the value and denomination are on the left.

Note that there are also quarter-ounce silver bullion coins denominated as 5 cents in face value.