JUNK / CONSTITUTIONAL Silver: 1952 SA 5 Shillings King George VI of England (50% Silver; 14.14g)

Description

Commemorative issue: 300th anniversary of the founding of Cape Town.

These 5 Shillings coins from South Africa are remarkable not only for their large size—they’re heavier and larger than United States Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars—but also for the familiar design of a springbok that will have you wondering if they’re really silver Krugerrands (They’re not!). This design, which is nearly the exact same one used on the famous Gold Krugerrands that have been struck continuously since 1967, depicts a Springbok, the country’s national animal, and an antelope that’s synonymous with South Africa. If you looked at one side-by-side with a modern Silver Krugerrand, you’d be forgiven if you couldn’t readily tell them apart.

This series of Crown-sized coins was also short-lived, issued from only 1947 to 1960 (Proof issues were released until 1964). The coins struck from 1947–1952 featured the portrait of King George VI and the coins issued from 1953–1959 display the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The obverse of the 1960 coin celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Union of South Africa showed the Union Buildings in Pretoria. All coins used from 1947–1959 featured a reverse design of a Springbok except for the 1952 release that shows an old sailing vessel to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of Cape Town. South Africa adopted a decimal currency in 1961, replacing the Pound with the Rand.

Features

Issuer      South Africa

King          George VI (1936-1952)

Type         Circulating commemorative coin

Year         1952

Value       5 Shillings = 1 Crown = ¼ Pound

Currency Pound (1825-1961)

Composition            Silver (.500)

Weight    28.28 g

Diameter 38.61 mm

Thickness                 3.06 mm

Technique                Milled

Demonetized           31 March 1961

The picture is generic. These coins are all circulated and will contain tarnish, discoloring, dirt, dings, abrasions, and scratches consistent with circulation coins. Do not expect pristine coins similar to BU bullion coins. These coins are bought and held for their silver content should you ever need to trade. Since these coins are old coins that circulated historically, some may value these above bullion coins even if their purity is only 50%.