Half Cent 1964, Coin from South Africa

Half Cent 1964, Coin from South Africa (demonetised 1970)

Coin	Half Cent 1964

The South African Half Cent coin (abbreviated as ½c) was the smallest circulating coin of the Rand currency, which was introduced in the then Union of South Africa on 14 February 1961, shortly before the establishment of the Republic on 31 May 1961. The half cent approximately replaced the earlier half penny coin, which was the second-smallest denomination of the South African Pound.

This first type of Half Cent coins was made of brass and is part of the First Decimal Coinage of South Africa; it was only issued between 1961 and 1964. A smaller bronze type replaced it in 1970, but it was only issued until 1973 for circulation and 1983 for collectors, after which time the denomination was discontinued.

Thus, coins issued in 1964 circulated for six years until replaced with the smaller version.

Mint	South African Mint	Mint Mark	No mint mark	Total Mintage	9,274,000 (9.3 million)

Obverse

The obverse of the coin, designed by Willie Myburg, 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.

Obverse Inscription	UNITY IS STRENGTH * EENDRAG MAAK MAG *

Reverse

The reverse 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 · 1964 ·.

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

Reverse Inscription	SUID-AFRIKA · 1964 · SOUTH AFRICA * ½ c. *

Edge	Plain	Edge Inscription	None

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Half Cent 1964: Known varieties

Variety	Proof
Images
Mintage	Issued: 16,000 (included in total)

All (18) coins of type: Half Cent

Coin Name	Mintage	Symbol	Legend
Half Cent 1961	39,196,530	Jan van Riebeeck (facing)	UNITY IS STRENGTH * EENDRAG MAAK MAG *
Half Cent 1962	17,898,844	Jan van Riebeeck (facing)	UNITY IS STRENGTH * EENDRAG MAAK MAG *
Half Cent 1963	11,615,025	Jan van Riebeeck (facing)	UNITY IS STRENGTH * EENDRAG MAAK MAG *
Half Cent 1964	9,274,000	Jan van Riebeeck (facing)	UNITY IS STRENGTH * EENDRAG MAAK MAG *
Half Cent 1970	45,375,363	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1970 *
Half Cent 1971 (mint sets only)	32,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1971 *
Half Cent 1972 (mint sets only)	30,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1972 *
Half Cent 1973 (mint sets only)	30,850	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1973 *
Half Cent 1974 (mint sets only)	35,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1974 *
Half Cent 1975 (mint sets only)	38,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1975 *
Half Cent 1976 (mint sets only)	41,000		SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA · 1976 ·
Half Cent 1977 (mint sets only)	39,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1977 *
Half Cent 1978 (mint sets only)	37,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1978 *
Half Cent 1979 (mint sets only)	35,000		SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA · 1979 ·
Half Cent 1980 (Proof only)	15,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1980 *
Half Cent 1981 (Proof only)	10,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1981 *
Half Cent 1982 (Proof only)	12,000		SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA · 1982 ·
Half Cent 1983 (Proof only)	14,135	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA * SUID-AFRIKA * 1983 *

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Half Cent 1964: Details

Country	South Africa
Currency	Rand
Coin Type	Half Cent, Brass
Issued	1964
Portrait	Jan van Riebeeck (facing)
Face Value	1/2 (x Cent)
Circulation Mintage	9,258,000 (9.3 million)
Total Mintage	9,274,000 (9.3 million)
Current	No; demonetised 1970
Material	Brass
Designer	George Kruger Gray, Willie Myburg
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size	25.6000 mm
Thickness	1.8000 mm
Mass	5.6000 g
OCC ID	BYNK-ODDC-MDKM-OPQM

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Half Cent 1964: Photos

Image	Details
	Proof Coin - 1/2 Cent, South Africa, 1964 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Proof. Source
	Proof Coin - 1/2 Cent, South Africa, 1964 Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: Proof. Source
	Coin - 1/2 Cent, South Africa, 1964 Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Source
	Coin - 1/2 Cent, South Africa, 1964 Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Source

Half Cent 1964: Catalogue Reference IDs

Source	Reference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins	South Africa KM# 56
Hern's Handbook on South African Coins and Patterns	Hern# R4

Relevant Links

½ Cent (1st decimal series) - South Africa – Numista

Half Cent 1964, Coin from South Africa - detailed information