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

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. The first type of Two Cents was made of bronze and was issued until 1990. The denomination was changed to a smaller copper-plated steel version issued until 2001, after which time it was discontinued.

The steel coins have a new reverse design, and a revised obverse showing a re-engraved Coat of Arms of South Africa; the legend was bilingual (Afrikaans and English) from 1990 to 1995, then one language only - Venda. The obverse was updated to the new Coat of Arms of the country halfway through 2000, so some coins dated 2000 have the old version and some carry the new Coat of Arms.

2001 was the last year of issue. On 28th March 2002 the South African Reserve Bank announced that it will cease the distribution for circulation of one and two cent coins as of 31st March 2002, citing high production costs - saying that it costs approximately 9 cents to produce a 1 cent South African coin and approximately 11 cents to produce a 2 cent South African coin.

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.