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RSA (Pre-1994): Opening of the South African Mint

RSA (Pre-1994): Opening of the South African MintRSA (Pre-1994): Opening of the South African Mint
Form: Circular
By: AL Sutherland & Lourens de Lange / SA Mint
Date: 1978
Ref:  Laidlaw: 0430;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
63.4 mmDarkened Bronze102 gm$130
44.6 mmDarkened Bronze36.6 gm$23

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: A view of the Mint building, clouds above. In the exergue: “SUID-AFRIKAANSE MUNT / SOUTH AFRICAN MINT”. Signed: "ALS" on the left at the foot of the building, signed: “ALS” (on the smaller medal only).

Reverse: An abstractly carved column, off centre to the left. On the right of the column, in large letters down: “OPENING”. To the right across: “22 / NOV / 1978”. Below, the arms of the mint on a hatched background. At the foot, signed: “LDL” (on the smaller medal only).

Notes: The larger medal comes inside a green case lined on the inside with white silk showing the coat of arms of the SA Mint and green velvet. The smaller medal comes inside a blue cardboard case with: “SAM” in gold letter on the outside.

The Royal Mint, later named the South African Mint, was located at 103 Visagie Street in Pretoria. Increased demand for circulation coins made the facility inadequate and a new building was erected on the same site and opened on 22nd November 1978. The SA Mint was relocated in 1992 to its present site in Gateway, Centurion.