Catalog
1 Shilling - George V Suid Afrika, Pattern
| Issuer | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Year | 1934 |
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| Shape | Round |
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| Reverse description | A standing allegorical female figure, draped and cloaked with her garments billowing behind her, leans upon a large upright anchor set on a rope coil at the base of the design, symbolising Hope and maritime strength. To the upper right field, a compass star ornament is present. The bilingual legend SOUTH AFRICA · 1934 · SUID · AFRIKA arcs around the upper portion of the field, while the denomination SHILLING appears in the exergue along the lower arc. The designer's initials KG for George Kruger Gray appear discreetly in the lower central field. |
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| Mintage | 1934 |
| Additional information |
South Africa's shift from silver to copper-nickel for subsidiary coinage was debated through much of the early 1930s as silver prices fluctuated and the Union government weighed production costs against public resistance to base-metal coins. This 1934 pattern was part of that exploratory process — struck to test both striking characteristics and public reaction, never approved for circulation. Hern U38 documents it as an official pattern issue, not a private or speculative piece.
The silver shilling remained in production. This copper-nickel trial did not advance further.