Melt Values of Silver Coins from South Africa

Denomination / Currency	Years Minted	Fineness	Gross Weight (g)	ASW (g)	ASW (oz t)	Melt Value
3 Pence	1923- 1950	.800	1.41	1.13	.0363	$1.17
3 Pence	1951- 1960	.500	1.41	0.71	.0227	$0.73
6 Pence	1923- 1950	.800	2.83	2.26	.0728	$2.35
6 Pence	1951- 1960	.500	2.83	1.42	.0455	$1.47
1 Shilling	1923- 1950	.800	5.66	4.53	.1456	$4.70
1 Shilling	1951- 1960	.500	5.66	2.83	.0908	$2.93
2 Shillings	1923- 1950	.800	11.31	9.05	.2909	$9.38
2 Shillings	1951- 1960	.500	11.31	5.66	.1818	$5.86
2 1/2 Shillings	1923- 1950	.800	14.14	11.31	.3637	$11.73
2 1/2 Shillings	1951- 1960	.500	14.14	7.07	.2273	$7.33
5 Shillings	1947- 1950	.800	28.28	22.62	.7274	$23.46
5 Shillings	1951- 1960	.500	28.28	14.14	.4546	$14.66
2 1/2 Cents	1961- 1964	.500	1.41	0.71	.0227	$0.73
5 Cents	1961- 1964	.500	2.83	1.42	.0455	$1.47
10 Cents	1961- 1964	.500	5.66	2.83	.091	$2.93
20 Cents	1961- 1964	.500	11.31	5.66	.1818	$5.86
50 Cents	1961- 1964	.500	28.28	14.14	.4546	$14.66
1 Rand	1965- 1968	.800	15	12.00	.3858	$12.44

South Africa Silver Coins

The history of silver coins in South Africa is deeply intertwined with the country's colonial past, its economic development, and its rich deposits of precious metals.

Dutch Colonial Period (1652-1795)

When the Dutch East India Company established a supply station at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652, trade primarily relied on foreign coins, including Dutch guilders, Spanish pieces of eight, and other European silver coins. There were no locally minted coins during this period.

British Colonial Period (1795-1910)

When the British took control of the Cape Colony in 1795, they introduced British currency, which included silver coins such as shillings, florins, and crowns. These coins circulated alongside various foreign coins for many years.

Griqua Coinage (1815-1816)

The Griqua, a mixed-race community in South Africa, issued their own coinage, including silver coins, to facilitate trade. These coins were among the earliest local coinages in the region.

Union of South Africa (1910-1961)

In 1910, the Union of South Africa was established, uniting the British colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and the Orange Free State. The new state adopted the British pound sterling system.

The first official coinage of the Union of South Africa was issued in 1923. The silver coins included the 2 1/2 shilling (half-crown), 2 shilling (florin), 1 shilling, 6 pence, and 3 pence pieces. These coins featured the British monarch on the obverse and various South African symbols on the reverse.

In 1961, South Africa became a republic and introduced the South African rand (ZAR) to replace the pound. The new decimal system included silver coins such as the 50-cent and 20-cent pieces. However, silver content was gradually reduced due to rising silver prices.

By the mid-1960s, the rising cost of silver made it impractical to use in circulating coins. In 1965, South Africa stopped issuing silver coins for general circulation, replacing them with coins made from base metals.

Modern South African Silver Coins

Despite the end of silver circulation coins, South Africa has continued to issue silver commemorative and bullion coins. The most famous of these is the Krugerrand, first issued in 1967 as a gold coin. Silver Krugerrands were introduced much later, in 2017, to mark the 50th anniversary of the gold Krugerrand.

Protea and Natura Series South Africa also issues limited-edition silver coins under the Protea and Natura series, which celebrate the country's natural heritage, historical events, and notable figures.

Today, South African silver coins are primarily minted for investors and collectors. They are produced by the South African Mint, which ensures high quality and often limited mintages, making them attractive to numismatists around the world.

Use this guide to determine the melt value of South Africa silver coins.