5 Shilling Silver Springbok 1947 (Legendary Springbok of the Krugerrand | First Year of Issue | Portrait George VI)

The Ancestor of the Krugerrand: 5 Shilling South Africa 1947

Before the Krugerrand became the most traded bullion coin in the world, its springbok was already leaping across another coin. This one, in fact. The 5-shilling coin of the Union of South Africa from 1947 is the first year of issue of the great South African crown, struck from 800 fine silver. At the same time, it is the stage on which Coert Laurens Steynberg's famous springbok made its very first appearance. Anyone searching for historic silver coins with genuine history will hardly find a piece that leads so directly into the present.

The crown was struck at the Pretoria Mint, the forerunner of today's South African Mint. In the same year, King George VI travelled through the country with his family, including young Princess Elizabeth. A year of issue with double significance, then.

A Springbok Writes Coin History

South African sculptor Coert Steynberg (1905–1982) designed the motif in 1946/47 specifically for this 5 shilling coin. He sketched several leaping poses and ultimately chose the "pronking" springbok: arched back, stiff legs, an animal in full tension. His initials "CLS" appear to the right in the field of the reverse. The legend is bilingual (SOUTH AFRICA · 1947 · SUID-AFRIKA), with the denomination 5 SHILLINGS below it.

What happened afterwards is remarkable. Steynberg's springbok was used again and again over the decades:

• on the 5-shilling crowns well into the reign of Queen Elizabeth II,
• on the ½ pound and 1 pound gold coins (1952–1960),
• on the 1 and 2 rand gold coins (1961–1983),
• on the Krugerrand since 1967, and on the silver Krugerrand since 2017 as well.

When South Africa wanted to launch a bullion coin for its gold onto the world market in 1967, it turned to this proven design, which by then was already twenty years old. The obverse of the Krugerrand shows Paul Kruger based on the design by Otto Schultz. And yet here too a trail leads back to Steynberg: he created the Paul Kruger statue at the gate of the Kruger National Park. The namesake and the heraldic animal of the Krugerrand thus both bear his signature, just on different stages.

George VI – King and Last Emperor of India

The obverse shows the uncrowned portrait of King George VI in profile facing left. It was modelled by Thomas Humphrey Paget, signed "HP". The legend GEORGIVS VI REX IMPERATOR means "George VI, King and Emperor" and refers to his title as Emperor of India. With India's independence, this title was dropped. From 1948 onward, the South African crown therefore bears the legend GEORGIVS SEXTVS REX.

The result: 1947 is the only year of issue of this silver coin to bear "IMPERATOR". It is thus a one-year type that type collectors specifically seek out. Incidentally, George VI was the father of Queen Elizabeth II. Her portrait by Mary Gillick appears on the 5-shilling coin from 1953 onward.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

• Face value: 5 shilling (also called "schilling" or crown)
• Country: South Africa
• Mint: South African Mint (Pretoria Mint)
• Fineness: 800/1,000
• Gross weight: 28.20 g
• Fine weight: 22.56 g
• Diameter: 38.60 mm
• Condition: circulated, bank-grade condition
• Mintage 1947: around 300,000 pieces for circulation

Condition: Traces That Tell a Story

These pieces are circulated coins, and they look the part. Darker patina, individual centring, small nicks, wear, and legend details that are weaker in places in some areas: these are not flaws, but biography. Every trace comes from hands that used this coin to settle goods, freight, or debts around eight decades ago. Since each piece has taken its own path, the item delivered will differ from the image shown. Please understand the photo in the shop explicitly as an example image: appearance, exact weight, and condition vary from piece to piece for historical reasons. You are acquiring an original.

Collector's Item and Tangible Asset in One

Each crown contains 22.56 g of pure precious metal. Silver served as money for thousands of years, long before paper currencies existed, and is still regarded today as a proven store of value. It is durable, tradeable worldwide, and in high demand in industry, for instance in electronics, photovoltaics, and medical technology. Many investors value it as an inflation hedge and as tangible crisis protection, because its value does not depend on a government's promise.

In Comparison: 1947 Crown, Later Years of Issue, Silver Krugerrand

• Compared to the silver Krugerrand (one troy ounce of fine silver): lower silver content, but genuine age, a one-year type, and the original story of the springbok motif.
• Compared to the 1948–1950 years of issue: the same 800 fine alloy, but the "IMPERATOR" legend used only in 1947 and the status as the first year of issue.
• Compared to the later Elizabeth crowns: these were struck in 500 fine silver. The 1947 George VI issue offers the higher silver content.
• The 800 fine alloy is harder than fine silver. For a coin that was actually used in circulation, this is an advantage.

One more practical point: under current German law, profits from the sale of physical silver are tax-free if more than one year lies between purchase and sale. And anyone who one day passes their collection on to the next generation also passes on a piece of history with this coin.

A springbok, a king and emperor, a first year of issue – and the beginning of a motif history that extends all the way to the Krugerrand.