Ten Cents, Silver, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

The obverse 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 (for Willie Myburg) are incuse on the shoulder truncation.

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

The reverse design continues the original design of the pre-decimal shilling, with a small modification. It depicts a standing female figure, her right arm resting on a large anchor, with sea waves in the background; unlike the shilling, there is no star to the right of the figure. Between her flowing robes and the waves, the designer's initials KG (for George Kruger Gray).

Above, the date of issue: + [year] +.

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

Around below, flanked by two rosettes, the value and denomination * 10 c. * (Ten Cents).

The likeness on the obverse of the coin is based on a portrait painted by Dirck Craey which is now in the possession of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum; it is now thought that the painting was actually of another Dutchman named Bartholomeus Vermuyden, and not of Jan van Riebeeck.

Note that there are also half-ounce silver bullion coins denominated as 10 cents in face value.