South Africa 1966 rand Fr-12
This specimen was lot 1286 in Sincona sale 69 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 180 CHF (about US$239 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SUID AFRIKA. Republik, seit 1960. 1 Rand 1966. Nur 11'000 Exemplare geprägt. Polierte Platte. (Republic of South Africa, since 1960, one rand of 1966. Only 11'000 pieces struck, Choice Proof.)"
In 1960, South Africa withdrew from the British Commonwealth and in 1961 issued all new coins, dropping the bust of the queen for explorer Jan van Riebeeck. This type was issued 1961-83 along with a gold one rand, minted to the standard of a half sovereign. Sold to collectors and bullion speculators, this type never achieved the popularity of the krugerrand introduced in 1967.
Recorded mintage: 10,000 + 11,000 proofs.
Specification: 3.99 g, 0.917 fine gold (same standard as a British half sovereign), this specimen 3.99 g.
Catalog reference: KM 63. Fr-12.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 69, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and Chinese Banknotes, Part 1, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
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