The Africana Commemorative Mint

Thirty years ago in 1978, the Africana Commemorative Mint issued a set of 30 Gold Plated Sterling Silver Coins in a yellow wood and stinkwood presentation case. The collection was called “ Our Cape Coin Heritage ” commemorating the coins that circulated in the Cape of Good Hope from the early 1600s to the early 1800s.

With only 5000 sets issued worldwide. The issue price in 1978 was R870 (which with inflation and a number of other factors, is estimated at +- R15 000.00 today). The well know International coin firm of Downies, has one set currently for sale at R12 000.00.

Each of the thirty Sterling Silver coins weighs 37.3 grams and is 45.0 mm in diameter (much larger and heavier than a Silver Crown or Full Kruger Rand). This converts to over one kilogram of pure silver for the collection. The coins were minted in brilliant proof quality.

The Cape of Good Hope was known as “ the Tavern of the Seas” as it welcomed many seafaring nations from around the world. This was evident in the multitude of foreign coins that was accepted and circulated at the Cape from the time of van Riebeeck.