Five Cents 1985, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

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 Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA; around right, the name in English: SOUTH AFRICA.

Below, the date of issue: * 1985 *.

Below the Coat of Arms on the left side, in small letters the initials of the designer ALS (for Arthur Sutherland).

The reverse of the coin depicts a Blue Crane bird, looking right. To the right of the bird, the value and denomination 5 c (Five Cents).

Below right, the initials of the designer T.S. (for Tommy Sasseen).