Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Rand 1994-1995, KM# 140, South Africa
  • 5 Rand 1994-1995, KM# 140, South Africa
Description

Engraver: Arthur Sutherland

Obverse

Coat of arms and country name in English and Afrikaans.

The coat of arms was granted by King George V by Royal Warrant on 17 September 1910, few months after the formation of the Union of South Africa.

It was a combination of symbols representing the four provinces (formerly colonies) that made up the Union:
• The first quarter is the figure of Hope, representing the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope.
• The two wildebeests of the second quarter represent the Colony of Natal.
• The orange tree in the third quarter was used as the symbol of the Orange Free State Republic.
• The wagon in the fourth quarter represented the Transvaal.
• The supporters are taken from the arms of the Orange River Colony and the Cape Colony.
• The lion holds four rods, bound together, symbolizing the unification of the four former colonies.

The motto, Ex Unitate Vires was officially translated as "Union is Strength" until 1961, and thereafter as "Unity is Strength".

SOUTH AFRICA · SUID-AFRIKA
EX UNITATE VIRES
ALS 1994

Reverse

Wildebeest, value.

The wildebeests, also called gnus, are a genus of antelopes, scientific name Connochaetes. They belong to the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, sheep and other even-toed horned ungulates. Wildebeest is Dutch for "wild beast" or "wild cattle" in Afrikaans (bees "cattle"), while Connochaetes derives from the Greek words κόννος, kónnos, "beard", and χαίτη, khaítē, "flowing hair", "mane".

They are found in the northern grassveld regions of the Cape Province, throughout the Orange Free State to KwaZulu-Natal and the southern regions of Gauteng. Wildebeest hides were at one stage an important commodity in Kwa-Zulu-Natal.

5 RAND
ALS

Edge

5 Rand

SOUTH AFRICA - SUID-AFRIKA
KM# 140 Hern# Nj2-Nj3
Characteristics
Material Nickel Plated Copper
Weight 7 g
Diameter 26 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Alt # Hern# Nj2, Hern# Nj3
Mint
South African Mint (SA Mint)

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