Owner Comments:
Joint Finest Known! (1/3)
Total Graded: 4
Mintage: 3,993,200
These nickel coins were issued until 1990, after which time the denomination was made much smaller with the Third Decimal Series. Thus, R1 coins issued in 1985 circulated for six years until they were withdrawn.
The 1985 issue commemorates the presidency of Marais Viljoen (1915 - 2007) who was the last ceremonial State President of South Africa from 4 June 1979 until 3 September 1984. Viljoen was succeeded in 1984 by Prime Minister P. W. Botha, who combined the offices into an executive presidency.
Obverse
Instead of the Coat of Arms of South Africa, the obverse of the 1985 coins displays a bust of Marais Viljoen, South Africa's fifth president, facing three-quarters left.
Below the shoulder truncation, the initials of the obverse designer: ALS (for Arthur Sutherland).
Around left and around right, the bilingual legend reads SUID-AFRIKA and SOUTH AFRICA in English.
Around below, the date of issue * 1985 *.
Reverse
The reverse shows a Springbok antelope, jumping to the right.
Below that, the value and denomination 1 RAND.
Above the Springbok and to the left, the motto SOLI DEO GLORIA (translated from Latin: Glory to God alone).
Below left, the artist's initials J. v. Z. (for Jan van Zyl).