Collection: Banknotes of South Africa

The South African rand takes its name from the Witwatersrand, the ridge where the gold that made Johannesburg rich was discovered. The first banknote from 1961 featured a portrait attributed to the colonist Jan van Riebeeck; decades later, it was discovered that it was actually that of another man, Bartholomew Vermuyden.

The Big Five

Since 1992, the banknotes have featured the five great animals of the savannah—rhinoceros, elephant, lion, buffalo, and leopard—one for each denomination. In 2012, a portrait of Nelson Mandela was added to the obverse, while keeping the wildlife on the reverse, and in 2018, a commemorative series was released for the centenary of his birth.

A failed shipment from Sweden

In 2011, when part of the printing was moved to a Swedish factory, the banknotes were produced with duplicate numbering and incorrect dimensions: the central bank had to destroy 3.6 million copies before they could enter circulation.

What you will find here

South African rands with Pick reference and actual condition.

Shipping

Protected and tracked from Spain.

Discover more banknotes from the region at Banknotes of Africa.

If you are interested in this area, combine with Botswana and Lesotho.