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| Issuer | South African Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1979 |
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| Currency | Rand (1961-date) |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | The denomination numeral 20 appears in large bold relief to the left of centre, overlapping a finely detailed rendering of a Protea cynaroides (King Protea), South Africa's national flower, depicted in full bloom with its characteristic layered bracts and central florets filling the field. The engraver's initials T.S. are visible in the lower right portion of the field near the flower's base. The reverse field is otherwise unlettered, with the floral motif dominating the design in a naturalistic botanical style. |
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| Additional information |
Nicolaas Diederichs served as State President of South Africa from 1975 until his death in August 1978 — meaning this coin was struck posthumously, as was standard practice for the commemorative circulation series honoring each president. Before politics, Diederichs had been a committed economic nationalist and longtime advocate of Afrikaner capital formation, instrumental in building the network of institutions that channeled Afrikaner savings into industry during the mid-twentieth century. He also served as Minister of Finance for over a decade before reaching the presidency.
The 1979 date places this issue in the first full year of P.W. Botha's premiership.