Obverse. Photo © Florinus.lt
  • 20 Kwacha 2011, Schön# 205, Malawi, 50th Anniversary of South African Investment Coins
  • 20 Kwacha 2011, Schön# 205, Malawi, 50th Anniversary of South African Investment Coins
Description

The 1 and 2 Rand gold coins were minted by South Africa between 1961 and 1983, with a fineness of 91.7% and a gold weight of 7.322 grams. It features a portrait of Jan van Riebeeck on the obverse and a springbok on the reverse, designed by Coert Steynberg. After 1983, gold versions were replaced by silver, and the coin was succeeded by smaller Krugerrand versions. Affordable for collectors and investors, these gold coins offer a low premium above gold's spot price and remain a trusted hedge against inflation.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Malawi, country name above and denomination below.

The coat of arms of Malawi is based on the earlier heraldic arms of Nyasaland. It is supported by a lion and a leopard, above a scroll reading "Unity and Freedom". A rising sun in a black field, like in the lower field in the shield, is also present in the flag of Malawi, per fess barry wavy Azure and Argent and Sable on a fess Gules a lion passant and in base a sun rising or: and for the Crest: On a wreath or and Gules on water barry wavy Azure and Argent in front of a sun rising or a fish eagle rising proper, and for Supporters: On the dexter side a lion and on the sinister side a leopard both guardant, upon a compartment representing the Mlanje mountain proper, together with this motto: Unity and Freedom.

REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
UNITY AND FREEDOM
20 KWACHA

Reverse

Depicts a springbok walking left, the inscription and dates above, and weight, purity and metal below.

The Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in southern and southwestern Africa.

The first Springbok appeared as long ago as 1947 as a true South African symbol on the silver crown size coins. The original design is still viewed as one of the best designs in the world. Based on the original artwork of one of South Africa’s famous sculptors, Coert Laurens Steynberg, the Springbok was used on various other South African coins. These were the gold one-pound and ½ pound coins, and later the gold R1 and R2 coins. From 1960 to 1964, the Springbok reappeared on the reverse of the 50c. This prancing buck was also chosen to be the symbol on the Krugerrand from 1967 to date. The Springbok was also depicted on the R1 nickel coins from 1977 – 1990.

50 YEARS INVESTMENT COIN 1961-2011
1/2 G .99999 FINEST GOLD

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.999
Weight 0.5 g
Diameter 11 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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Republic

50th Anniversary of South African Investment Coins

Silver, 31.1 g, ⌀ 38.6 mm