Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Rand 2005, KM# 297, South Africa
  • 5 Rand 2005, KM# 297, South Africa
  • 5 Rand 2005, KM# 297, South Africa, CW mintmark
Description

A limited number of R5 were minted on “Oom Paul” (meaning Uncle Paul), one of the coin presses used in the 1892 State Mint. “Oom Paul” is housed and used in Coin World, a visitor’s center at the South African Mint and therefore a mintmark featuring “CW” (Coin World) and the “Oom Paul” mint press appears.

Engraver: Arthur Sutherland

Obverse

New national coat of arms for South Africa (adopted on 27 April 2000), the country name in Tsonga and English.

The Coat of Arms has many elements organized into two oval groups, one on top of the other. Together the two ovals create a symbol of infinity.

The Lower or Foundation Oval:
At the base is the motto "Diverse People Unite" written in the Khoisan language of the ǀXam people. On either side of the motto, pairs of elephant tusks. The tusks enclose two ears of wheat. At the centre is a shield. On the shield are depicted two Khoisan figures. The Khoisan are the oldest inhabitants of South Africa. The figures on the shield are based on the Linton Panel (a world-famous piece of rock art now housed in the South African Museum in Cape Town), and face each other in greeting and unity. Above the shield, a crossed spear and knobkierie (a traditional fighting stick) separate the lower oval from the upper oval.

The Upper or Ascendant Oval
At the centre is the South African National Flower, the King Protea. It is comprised of interlocking diamonds. The protea forms the chest of the secretary bird, whose head and wings stretch out above it. Between its wings, the rising sun.

Afrika Dzonga • 2005 • South Africa •
!KE E: ǀXARRA ǁKE
ALS

Reverse

Depicts a Wildebeest and value. Initials of the South Africa Reserve Bank repeated all around.

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
ALS
RAND
SARB SARB SARB ...

Edge

Security edge with the initials of the South Africa Reserve Bank and the facial value repeated 10 times.

SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5

5 Rand

Afrika Dzonga - South Africa
KM# 297 Hern# Nj22-23 Schön# 385
Characteristics
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Brass
Weight 9.4 g
Diameter 26 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Alt # Hern# Nj22, Hern# Nj23
Mint
South African Mint (SA Mint)

Related coins

SOUTH AFRICA - SUID-AFRIKA

Nickel Plated Copper, 7 g, ⌀ 26 mm
ININGIZIMU AFRIKA

Nickel Plated Copper, 7 g, ⌀ 26 mm
Afrika Dzonga - Ningizimu Afrika

Bi-Metallic, 9.4 g, ⌀ 26 mm