Half Cent, 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.

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

The second obverse (1970 - 1983) 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 English: SOUTH AFRICA; around right, the name in Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA.

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

The first reverse, used between 1961 and 1964, shows at its centre two Cape sparrows (Passer melanurus) on a branch. At the base of the branch, in small letters the initials of the reverse designer KG (for [George] Kruger Gray).

Around right, the name of the country in English: SOUTH AFRICA; around left, the name in Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA. Above that, the date · [year] ·.

Below, flanked by two rosettes, the value and denomination * ½ c. * (half cent).

The second reverse (1970 - 1983) shows at its centre a different rendering of the same theme, two Cape sparrows (Passer melanurus) on a branch. Below the bird on the right, in small letters the initials of the designer TS (for Tommy Sasseen).

Above, the numeral value ½ (half cent).