Reserve Bank launches new South African banknotes and coins

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has released the upgraded Mandela banknotes and fourth decimal coin series on Wednesday, 3 May 2023.

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The new banknotes feature the image of former President Nelson Mandela on the front, along with images of the Big Five animals on the back. They also have enhanced security features to deter counterfeiting.

“The upgraded banknotes and fourth decimal coin series have new designs and enhanced security features that utilise the latest technological advancements to protect the integrity of our currency and maintain public trust.” – SARB said

SARB continued to say “The upgraded banknotes continue to pay homage to South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, with his portrait featured on the front of all five denominations while the Big 5 animals are depicted as a family. The fourth decimal coin series is based on the theme of deep ecology, which celebrates the interconnectedness of humans and other living organisms as an integral part of the environment.”

The new coins feature a range of designs, including a new 5 rand coin featuring the image of the southern right whale, and new 2 rand, 50 cent, 20 cent, and 10 cent coins featuring various South African plants and animals. The coins also have enhanced security features, such as micro-lettering and a bi-metal design to deter counterfeiting.

The introduction of the new banknotes and coins was aimed at improving the security and durability of South Africa’s currency, as well as making it more accessible to visually impaired individuals through the inclusion of tactile features on the banknotes.

New banknotes and coins images

These are the new notes:

Front - Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK — R10 Front – Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Back - Rhinoceros Afrikaans -SUID-AFRIKAANSE RESERWEBANK siSwati - LIBHANGESILULU — R10 Back – Rhinoceros Afrikaans -SUID-AFRIKAANSE RESERWEBANK siSwati – LIBHANGESILULU

R20 Front - Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK — R20 Front – Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Back - Elephant Setswana - BANKAKGOLO YA AFORIKABORWA isiNdebele - IBULUNGELO-MALI — R20 Back – Elephant Setswana – BANKAKGOLO YA AFORIKABORWA isiNdebele – IBULUNGELO-MALI

R50 Front - Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK — R50 Front – Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Back - Lion isiXhosa - IBHANKI ENGUVIMBA YOMZANTSI AFRIKA Tshivenda - BANNGA YA VHUKATI YA — R50 Back – Lion isiXhosa – IBHANKI ENGUVIMBA YOMZANTSI AFRIKA Tshivenda – BANNGA YA VHUKATI YA

R100 Front - Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK — R100 Front – Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Back - Cape buffalo Sepedi - PANKA YA RESEFE YA AFRIKA BORWA Xitsonga - BANGINKULU YA AFRIKA- — R100 Back – Cape buffalo Sepedi – PANKA YA RESEFE YA AFRIKA BORWA Xitsonga – BANGINKULU YA AFRIKA

R200 Front - Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK — R200 Front – Portrait of Nelson Mandela SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Back - Leopard isiZulu - IBHANGE LOMBUSO LASENINGIZIMU AFRIKA Sesotho - BANKA YA RISEFE YA AFRIKA BORWA — R200 Back – Leopard isiZulu – IBHANGE LOMBUSO LASENINGIZIMU AFRIKA Sesotho – BANKA YA RISEFE YA AFRIKA BORWA

These are the new coins: Front

Image Courtesy: resbank