Reverse of the Coin (South Africa) Quiz

Answer: Cape sparrows facing away from each other

The half cent was the smallest denomination issued when the rand was the monetary unit of South Africa. The coin was issued in brass from 1961 until 1964 and in bronze (and a smaller size) in 1970 Post-1970 issues were meant for mint sets or proof sets.

The 1970 coins had a pair of Cape sparrows on branches facing away from each other on the reverse. (The 1961-64 coins had a different design where the sparrows face each other.)

Answer: Cape sparrows facing towards each other

The one cent denomination dates back to 1961 with first a reverse (in brass) showing a covered wagon and then (in bronze) two sparrows facing away from each other. The final design (in copper-plated steel) shows the sparrows facing towards each other. Beginning in 2002, the one cent coins were now longer distributed by the South African reserve bank.

The coins already in circulation continued to be legal tender although of relatively little vale.

Answer: Eagle carrying a fish

From 1961 to 1964, South Africa actually issued a coin denominated two-and-a-half cents. From 1965, the two cent coins showed a wildebeest on the reverse. Beginning in 1990, the coins were issued in copper-plated steel with an eagle lifting a fish (out of highly styled water) on the reverse. Like the one cent coin, the two cent coin was no longer made or actively circulated by the South African Reserve Bank after 2001 because of the coins costing significantly more than face value to mint.

Answer: Stanley crane

Though five cent coins have had a Stanley crane on them since 1965, the original design had the crane facing to the right (on a nickel planchet). Beginning in 1990, the crane faced to the left (on a copper-plated steel planchet). The five cent coins are legal tender although (perhaps reflected in the decision not to make any in recent years) their low value limits their circulation.

Answer: Arum lilies

The ten- cent coins of 1965-89 had an aloe plant on the reverse (and were struck on a nickel planchet). Beginning in 1990, the coins had three Arum lilies on the reverse. These coins were struck on bronze-plated steel planchets for 1990 to 2011 and in copper-plated steel beginning in 2012. Beginning in 2001, the coins (in a rotating cycle) used one of the 11 official languages of South Africa for legends.

Answer: Royal protea

While twenty cent coins have had a Royal protea plant on the reverse since 1965, the coins were minted on nickel planchets from 1965 to 1990 and in bronze-plated steel beginning in 1990. The design of the Royal protea also underwent some small changes at this time. Like the ten cent coins, beginning in 2001, the languages of the legends also cycles through the official languages of South Africa.

Answer: Strelitzia plant

The fifty cent coin had a complicated reverse from 1965 to 1989 with a Strelitzia, an arum lily, and an African lily. By comparison, beginning in 1990, the reverse design became simpler with only a Strelitzia plant. At the same time, the planchet metal changed from nickel to bronze-plated steel. The obverse had the South African coat of arms.

Answer: Springbok

The springbok was the image on the reverse of the one rand coin beginning in 1965. From 1965 to 1990, the coins were minted in nickel (with one springbok design) and beginning in 1990 in nickel-plated copper (with another springbok design). A springbok was also used on several pre-decimal South African coins.

Answer: Greater Kudu

Earlier coins denominated two rand were issued in silver or even gold. The two rand coin that was first issued in 1989 was minted in nickel-plated copper and bore a Greater Kudu on the reverse. Over the years, several circulating commemoratives have also been issued in the two rand denomination. In the past a two rand banknote was also issued.

Answer: Black wilderbeest

The five rand coin is also minted in nickel-plated copper. The reverse of the coin has the image of a black wildebeest (or gnu). Another interpretation of the black wildebeest began appearing on the reverse of the five rand coin when its composition changed to bimetallic. Several circulating commemoratives have also been issued in this denomination.