1955 South Africa ½ Penny - Elizabeth II 1st portrait
© Joseph Kunnappally
Features
| Issuer | South Africa  |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-1961) |
| Type | Standard circulation coins |
| Years | 1953-1960 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound (1825-1961) |
| Composition | Bronze (95% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn) |
| Weight | 5.67 g |
| Diameter | 25.6 mm |
| Thickness | 1.76 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | 31 March 1961 |
| Number | N# 9968 |
| References | KM# 45, Hern# S74-81 |
Obverse
Young laureate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, engraver's initials in truncation, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
ELIZABETH II REGINA
M.G.
Translation: Queen Elizabeth II
Engraver: Mary Gillick
Reverse
A ship, 'Dromedaris', sailing to right, legend in English and Afrikaans either side, with date above and denomination below, engraver's initials in front of ship.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SOUTH AFRICA·1960·SUID-AFRIKA
KG
1/2D
Engraver: George Kruger Gray
Edge
Plain
Mint
Pretoria, South Africa (1890-1902, 1923-1992)Comments
The Dromedaris is one of the three ships which brought Jan van Riebeeck and his small group of settlers to South Africa from Holland in 1652 in order to establish a refreshment station on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.