© Joseph Kunnappally
© Joseph Kunnappally
1 Penny - Elizabeth II 1st portrait
| Bronze (95% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn) | 9.45 g | 31.0 mm |
| Issuer | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-1961) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1953-1960 |
| Value | 1 Penny (1⁄240) |
| Currency | Pound (1825-1961) |
| Composition | Bronze (95% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn) |
| Weight | 9.45 g |
| Diameter | 31.0 mm |
| Thickness | 2.04 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | 31 March 1961 |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#3203 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 7% |
Reverse
A ship, 'Dromedaris', sailing to right, legend in English and Afrikaans either side, with date above and denomination below, engraver's initials in front of ship.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SUID-AFRIKA · 1959 · SOUTH AFRICA
KG
1D.
Engraver: George Kruger Gray
Edge
Plain
Comment
The Dromedaris is one of the three vessels which brought Jan van Riebeeck and his small group of settlers to South Africa from Holland in 1652 in order to establish a refreshment station on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1953-1960 South African 1 Penny coin is that it was the first coin to feature Queen Elizabeth II's portrait, which was designed by sculptor Mary Gillick. This portrait was used on coins throughout the British Commonwealth and became an iconic image of the Queen during her early years on the throne.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 5000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1954 | 3150 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1955 | 2850 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1956 | 1700 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1957 | 1130 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1958 | 985 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1959 | 950 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1960 | 3360 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 1 Penny - Elizabeth II (1st portrait) 1953-1960 coin.
