Numismatic

1952 South Africa Silver 5 Shillings BU (300th Anniv. Cape Town)

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Struck in 1952, this silver coin marks a major milestone in South African history, commemorating three centuries since the founding of Cape Town. Produced at the mint in Pretoria, the five-shilling piece contains 0.4546 ounces of silver and has a purity of 0.500. It represents a fascinating moment in mid-century coinage, combining royal portraiture with maritime imagery. The front of the coin displays a left-facing portrait of King George VI, accompanied by Latin inscriptions denoting his royal title. On the reverse, a detailed depiction shows a historic sailing vessel navigating into Table Bay, with Table Mountain rising in the background. The design is framed by the commemorative dates at the top and the denomination of five shillings at the bottom, creating a striking visual narrative of exploration and settlement.