Owner Comments:
WOW - Stand-alone Finest Known! (1/1)
Total Graded: 2
Mintage: 53,994,196
With the introduction of the Third Decimal Series in 1990, the R1 was changed to nickel-plated copper and was made smaller.
Its reverse features a new design of the iconic Springbok antelope, the national animal of South Africa which featured on the pre-decimal five shillings, half pound and one pound coins, the silver fifty cents and on the Krugerrand bullion coin series. The motto Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone) was retained from the earlier design. On various occasions, commemorative one rand coins are also issued.
The obverse displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre. This was the old (1910) Coat of Arms until 2000, then was updated to the current symbol. The legend is bilingual (except 1996 - 2001), with an annual rotation of the languages instituted after 2001.
R1 coins issued in 1994 have now been in circulation for 29 years.
Obverse
Within a recessed square with rounded corners, the obverse of the coin displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre, as granted to the Union of South Africa by King George V and later amended by the British College of Arms. It contains representation of the four provinces within the Union.
The Coat of Arms features a shield quartered, each quarter a symbol of one of the four provinces of South Africa. An ox wagon represents Transvaal Province, a woman with an anchor represents Cape Province, two wildebeests represent Natal Province and an orange tree represents the Orange Free State Province. The crest of the arms features a lion holding four bound sticks. The supporters are a springbok and a gemsbok. Below the arms, the Latin motto, EX UNITATE VIRES (translated at first as "Union Is Strength", but from 1961 translated as "Unity Is Strength").
Below the Coat of Arms, on the left side, the initials of the engraver: ALS (for Arthur Sutherland).
Around left, the name of the country in English: SOUTH AFRICA; around right, the name in Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA.
Below, the date of issue: 1994.
Reverse
Within a recessed square with rounded corners, the reverse shows a Springbok antelope, jumping to the right.
Above that, the value and denomination 1 RAND.
Below the Springbok, the motto SOLI DEO GLORIA (translated from Latin: Glory to God alone).
In the lower left, the artist's initials LL (for Linda Lotriet).