Coins of the South African rand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The coins of the South African rand are part of the physical form of South Africa's currency, the South African rand. In 1961, South Africa changed over to decimal currency: 100 cents (100c) = 1 rand (R1), 1 rand being valued at 10 shillings.
[edit] First Republic first coinage (1961–64)
South Africa was still a Dominion when decimal currency was introduced in February, 1961. As the coins bear the forward facing portrait of Jan van Riebeeck, they are classified as belonging under the First Republic (1961–84).
The First Republic came into effect on 31 May 1961 and withdrew from the Commonwealth. The constitutional arrangement of the First Republic consisted of a non-executive State President (whose powers were the same as the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa) and a bicameral parliamentary system. The Senate was replaced by the State President's Council in 1980.
[edit] First Republic second coinage (1965–69)
[edit] First Republic third coinage (1970–83)
[edit] Second Republic first coinage (1984–90)
The Second Republic came into existence in late 1984 when the then State President, Marais Viljoen retired and the last Prime Minister, P.W. Botha became the first (and penultimate) executive State President. The constitutional arrangement consisted of the State President and a tricameral parliamentary system. South Africa is the only Commonwealth of Nations country that has ever had a tricameral legislature.
