Five Rand, Copper, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

Five Rand, Copper, Coin Type from South Africa (issued 1994 - )
Coin TypeFive Rand, Copper

The Rand currency was introduced in the then Union of South Africa on 14 February 1961, shortly before the establishment of the Republic on 31 May 1961. The largest circulating coin at the time was fifty cents; gradually, new coins were introduced to replace banknotes, with the highest circulating denomination now being Five Rand (abbreviated as R5).

These first R5 coins were made of Nickel-plated copper and were similar to the R2 and R1 coins of the time. The reverse depicts a Black Wildebeest or Gnu; these large animals are found in the northern grassveld regions of the Cape Province, throughout the Orange Free State to KwaZulu-Natal and the southern regions of Gauteng. The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre. This was the old (1910) Coat of Arms until 2000, then was updated to the current symbol. The legend is bilingual (except between 1996 and 2001), with an annual rotation of the languages instituted after 2001

In 2004, the denomination changed to a larger bi-metallic coin, retaining the same design with some modifications; the earlier coins were not demonetised and are still legal tender.

Obverse
South Africa / Five Rand, Copper - obverse photo

The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of South Africa at centre, with the legend SOUTH AFRICA written around left and around right in two of the eleven official languages of the country; there is a system of rotation and every year a different pair is used. Between 1996 and 2001, only one language was displayed and the inscription was above the Coat of Arms.

The date of issue: · [year] · is above the old Coat of Arms, separating the two inscriptions, or below the new Coat of Arms after 2000.

The designer's initials ALS (for Arthur L. Sutherland) are below the Coat of Arms.
Obverse Inscription SOUTH AFRICA · [year] ·
Reverse
South Africa / Five Rand, Copper - reverse photo

Within a recessed square with rounded corners, the reverse of the coin shows at centre a Black Wildebeest (also known as a Gnu), running to left.

The value and denomination 5 RAND are above.

In the lower left, the initials of the engraver: ALS (for Arthur L. Sutherland).
Reverse Inscription 5 RAND
EdgeMilled interrupted, in five sectionsEdge InscriptionNone
Coin Type: Five Rand, Copper - (13) Coins
Coin NameMintageSymbolLegend
Five Rand 1994 Presidential Inauguration 10,105,000 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA 1994
Five Rand 1994 45,224,590 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA 1994
Five Rand 1995 41,252,293 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA 1995
Five Rand 1996 15,451,503 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1996
Five Rand 1997 1,287,111 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1997
Five Rand 1998 1,159,538 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1998
Five Rand 1999 8,809,299 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1999
Five Rand 2000 Mandela 6,240,000 ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2000
Five Rand 2000 (Old CoA) 1,011,470 Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910 ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2000
Five Rand 2000 (New CoA) 6,200,000 Coat of Arms of South Africa ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2001
Five Rand 2001 2,004,457 Coat of Arms of South Africa ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2001
Five Rand 2002 1,003,356 Coat of Arms of South Africa Afurika Tshipembe 2002 iSewula Afrika
Five Rand 2003 unknown Coat of Arms of South Africa Afurika Tshipembe 2003 Ningizimu Afrika
Advertising
Buy Silver and Gold Bullion Online
Buy Silver and Gold Bullion Online
Five Rand, Copper: Details
CountrySouth Africa
CurrencyRand
Sub-type ofFive Rand
From1994
Face Value5 (x Rand)
CurrentYes
MaterialNickel-plated copper
DesignerArthur Sutherland
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size26.0000 mm
Thickness1.7000 mm
Mass7.0000 g
Advertising
Buy Silver Bullion Online
Buy Silver Bullion Online