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

Five Cents, Nickel, Coin Type from South Africa (issued 1965 - 1989)
Coin TypeFive Cents, Nickel

The South African Five Cents coin (abbreviated as 5c) was a small circulating coin of the Rand currency. It was introduced when the currency was decimalised in 1961 and replaced the earlier pre-decimal sixpence.

The first version was made of silver and was only issued for four years. In 1965, the Second Decimal Coinage was introduced, in which the Five Cents denomination was made of nickel. This was changed to a larger copper-plated steel version in 1990, issued until 2011 after which time the denomination was discontinued.

Apart from the regular designs, there were also four commemorative issues with different obverses.

Obverse
South Africa / Five Cents, Nickel - obverse photo

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

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

Obverse Inscription SUID-AFRIKA * SOUTH AFRICA * [year] *
Reverse
South Africa / Five Cents, Nickel - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin 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).

Reverse Inscription 5 c
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
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Coin Type: Five Cents, Nickel - (30) Coins
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Five Cents, Nickel: Details
CountrySouth Africa
CurrencyRand
Sub-type ofFive Cents
From1965
To1989
Face Value5 (x Cent)
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1990
MaterialNickel
DesignerTommy Sasseen
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size17.3500 mm
Thickness1.6000 mm
Mass2.5000 g