Union of South Africa – 1960 2 Shillings – Elizabeth II (1st Portrait) (KM#50)

1960 Union of South Africa 2 Shillings coin was issued during the reign of Elizabeth II and forms part of the final pre-decimal coinage of the Union of South Africa. The Union remained a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth until 1961, when South Africa became a republic and introduced a new decimal currency system.

The obverse features the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, showing the young monarch wearing a laurel wreath and facing right. The surrounding inscription reads “ELIZABETH II REGINA”, identifying her as Queen. This portrait was used on South African coinage from 1953 to 1960 and represents the early years of her reign following the death of George VI.

The reverse displays the denomination “2 SHILLINGS” within a decorative wreath, with the bilingual inscription “SUID-AFRIKA · SOUTH AFRICA” reflecting the country’s dual-language heritage in Afrikaans and English. The date 1960 appears below, marking one of the last years of South Africa’s pre-decimal coinage before the introduction of the Rand in 1961.

Struck in silver, the two-shilling coin (equivalent to one-tenth of a pound) circulated widely throughout South Africa and was a common denomination in everyday commerce during the mid-20th century. Today these coins are popular with collectors of South African and Commonwealth coinage, particularly as relics of the country’s final years as a British dominion.

Coin Specifications

• Country: Union of South Africa

• Ruler: Queen Elizabeth II

• Year: 1960

• Denomination: 2 Shillings

• Catalogue: KM#50

• Composition: Silver (.500 fine)

• Weight: approx. 11.31 g

• Diameter: approx. 28.5 mm

Condition – XF

(MB 17)