South Africa 1960 shilling

formerly in the Mountain Groan Collection

South Africa, after a turbulent history between English and Dutch settlers and the native population, was constituted the Union of South Africa in 1910. Coinage commenced in 1923. The shilling pieces were originally 0.800 fine silver (KM 17, issued 1923-36 and KM 28, issued 1937-50), then 0.500 fine silver (KM 37.2, issued 1951-52 and KM 49, issued 1953-60). Additional ten cent pieces were struck 1961-64 after the white-dominated Republic of South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth. With the collapse of apartheid, collecting South African coins is now respectable again.

Recorded mintage: 2,187,000 plus 3,360 proofs.

Specification: 5.66 g, 0.500 fine silver, 23.5 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Mary Gillick and George Kruger-Gray.

Catalog reference: KM 49.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Hern, Brian, John Bothma and Hercie Pieterse, Hern's Handbook on South African Coins & Patterns, Ferndale, South Africa, 2013.

Link to:

• 1959 penny
• 1956 3 pence
• 1959 sixpence
• 1959 shilling
• 1959 2½ shillings
• 1959 5 shillings
• 1959 ½ pound
• 1960 farthing
• 1960 half penny
• 1960 5 shillings, 50th anniversary of the Union
• 1960 half pound
• 1960 pound
• Coins and currency dated 1960