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5 Cents Nicolaas J. Diederichs
| Issuer | South African Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1979 |
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| Value | 5 Cents |
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| Obverse description | Left-facing bust of Nicolaas J. Diederichs, President of South Africa, rendered in high relief with characteristic spectacles and formal attire. The legend 'SUID-AFRIKA' arcs along the upper left periphery and 'SOUTH AFRICA' along the upper right, with two small ornamental dots separating the bilingual inscriptions. The date '1979' is inscribed in the lower field, flanked by two small circular ornaments. The engraver's initials 'LDL' appear discreetly in the lower right of the bust area. The portrait is modelled in a naturalistic style befitting an official state commemorative issue. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | SUID-AFRIKA SOUTH AFRICA LDL 1979 |
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| Additional information |
Nicolaas Diederichs appeared on South African coinage following his death in August 1978, having served as State President for just over a year. His tenure was overshadowed by the Muldergate scandal — a clandestine government propaganda operation that implicated the Department of Information and ultimately brought down several senior figures in the National Party. Diederichs himself was posthumously linked to the affair, with allegations that he had facilitated secret foreign accounts.
This 1979 issue is the only year his portrait appeared on circulating coinage before the series transitioned to the next president.