South Africa gets a new R5 coin with distinct security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Around 2003/2004, a counterfeit R5 coin was circulating in South Africa. Although not an exact match of the original, the coin was convincing enough to fool many people. This prompted the Reserve Bank to redesign the coin in order to outsmart counterfeiters.

By 28 July 2004, South Africa had a new R5 coin. The new coin was bi-metal, with a silver coloured border and a bronze coloured center. It was also thicker and heavier that the old coin. The coin went into circulation on 2 August 2004.

How we know this

01South Africa.info South Africa's new R5 coin [online] Available at: www.southafrica.info [Accessed on 5 July 2012]
02SA Mint CIRCULATION COINS [online] Available at: www.samint.co.za [Accessed on 5 July 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, July 27). South Africa gets a new R5 coin with distinct security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089121

South African History Online (2012) 'South Africa gets a new R5 coin with distinct security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters', South African History Online, 27 July. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089121 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).

South African History Online, South Africa gets a new R5 coin with distinct security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089121, (accessed 14 October 2026).

"South Africa gets a new R5 coin with distinct security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters." South African History Online, 27 July 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089121. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "South Africa gets a new R5 coin with distinct security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters." South African History Online. July 27, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089121.