You are here: / Staff Newsletter July 2020
 

When the museum was revamped in 2018, over 300 Minters took the opportunity to join a tour and learn a bit more about the items we produce and how they came to be. We had since conducted ten schools tours and two group tours a month on average before the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to close the museum indefinitely.

Whether you would like to reinvigorate your knowledge from the tour and share it with your friends and family, or you are now motivated to see how the product you contribute to came to be, join us on a journey through the history of currency in
South Africa.

 
Before the 1600s
EARLY AFRICAN CURRENCY

The early inhabitants of South Africa used a bartering system for the exchange of goods and services. They would trade using anything from livestock to shells, beads, crafted items, handmade jewellery, tools and weapons. The Khoisan and San used ostrich eggs and shell beads, and the Zulus used iron spear points. 

Metal artefacts such as the Katanga crosses, Manilla bracelets and a Gitzi penny, which are on display in the museum, are beautiful examples of early African currency which was valued for both the craftsman’s artistry and the piece’s weight in metals.

THE CURRENT STATE OF COINS

Today, the 1, 2 and 5 cent coin minting has ceased, and a new bi-metal R5 was introduced into circulation in 2004 with added security features, including a grooved edge and micro-lettering on the reverse. Commemorative R5 and R2 coins that celebrate milestones and symbols of South Africa’s freedom, democracy and culture also form part of the current South African currency.

FIND THE GOLD MAZE ACTIVITY FOR THE KIDS

While you navigate the different eras to discover where the South African currency came from, put your kids on a mission to find the gold in this captivating maze game…

Click here to download the maze game.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT HOW COINS ARE ACTUALLY DESIGNED?

Now that you know exactly how South African currency came to be, look out for next month’s newsletter where you will learn how the coin designs you see today are transferred from sketch to metal.

Circulation-Coins
© The South African Mint Company.