Two Cents, Bronze, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

Two Cents, Bronze, Coin Type from South Africa (issued 1965 - 1990)
Coin TypeTwo Cents, Bronze

The South African Two Cents coin (abbreviated as 2c) was a small circulating coin of the Rand currency. Unlike the other denominations, it was not created at decimalisation on 14 February 1961 - there was a 2½ (two and a half cents) coin instead. This was short-lived though and was discontinued only four years later.

When South Africa introduced its Second Decimal Coinage in 1965, there was a Two Cents denomination in it. This first type of Two Cents was made of bronze and was issued until 1990. The first kind of bronze coins had a portrait of Jan van Riebeeck on the obverse and a legend in one language only; each year, two versions of the coin were issued - one in English and one in Afrikaans; this was also the case with the commemorative issue in 1968. In 1970, the obverse was changed to the Coat of Arms of South Africa with a bilingual legend.

Between 1970 and 1983, the designer's initials below the Coat of Arms were T.S. for Tommy Sasseen; the obverse was then re-engraved and between 1985 and 1989 the signature was A.L.S. for Arthur Sutherland (no signature at all in 1984).

The denomination was changed to a smaller copper-plated steel version issued until 2001, after which time it was discontinued.

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

The denomination has not been demonetised and the coins are still legal tender throughout the Common Monetary Area, although in practice they do not circulate due to their low value.

Obverse
South Africa / Two Cents, Bronze - 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 English: SOUTH AFRICA; around right, the name in Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA.

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

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

The reverse of the coin shows a bucking Wildebeest at its centre. Below the ground on the right, in small letters the initials of the designer J.v.Z. (for Jan van Zyl).

Below, the abbreviated value and denomination 2c (two cents).

Reverse Inscription 2c
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
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Coin Type: Two Cents, Bronze - (31) Coins
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Two Cents, Bronze: Details
CountrySouth Africa
CurrencyRand
Sub-type ofTwo Cents
From1965
To1990
Face Value2 (x Cent)
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1990
MaterialBronze
Designer
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size22.4500 mm
Thickness1.7100 mm
Mass4.0000 g