Two and a Half Cents 1963, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

Two and a Half Cents 1963, Coin from South Africa (withdrawn 1965)
CoinTwo and a Half Cents 1963

The Rand currency 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 First Decimal Coinage had a two-and-a-half-cent denomination replacing the pre-decimal threepence coin which had the same mass and dimensions. The new coins were 50% silver and retained the dimensions and reverse design of the threepence created in 1925 by George Kruger Gray, featuring a Protea flower.

The 2 1/2 cents were short-lived as a circulating denomination though; the coin was discontinued after 1964 when the second decimal coinage was introduced, in favour of a new 2 cents coin.

Thus, coins issued in 1963 circulated for only two years until they were withdrawn in 1965.

MintSouth African Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 37,025
Obverse
South Africa / Two and a Half Cents 1963 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin 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.

Obverse Inscription EENDRAG MAAK MAG * UNITY IS STRENGTH *
Reverse

At centre, a king protea flower in bloom. To the right of the base of it's stem, the designer's initials KG (for George Kruger Gray).

Above, the date of issue: · 1963 ·.

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 * 2½ c. * (Two and a Half Cents).

Reverse Inscription SUID-AFRIKA · 1963 · SOUTH AFRICA * 2½ c. *
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Two and a Half Cents 1963: Known varieties
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: 4,025 (included in total)
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Two and a Half Cents 1963: Details
CountrySouth Africa
CurrencyRand
Coin TypeTwo and a Half Cents
Issued1963
PortraitJan van Riebeeck (facing)
Face Value2 1/2 (x Cent)
Circulation Mintage33,000
Total Mintage37,025
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1965
Material0.500 Silver
DesignerGeorge Kruger Gray, Willie Myburg
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size16.3000 mm
Thickness0.9600 mm
Mass1.4140 g
OCC IDRWKZ-OJNC-LKXM-OXGL
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Two and a Half Cents 1963: Catalogue Reference IDs