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Collectable 1953 South African proof £1/2 coin. This SA Mint coin is one of the first gold coins issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth II. With only a tiny number of Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns struck in Her Majesty's Coronation year, these 10 Shilling coins and their larger £1 counterparts are the only option for those seeking gold currency from the early part of Elizabeth's reign. These Half Pounds feature Mary Gillick's elegant portrait on the reverse, paired with a very recognisable springbok design, later used on gold Krugerrands. These South African Mint coins were struck to the same specification as a Half Sovereign in 22-carat gold and were only issued with a proof finish.
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Coert Steynberg designed by springbok antelope design that appears on the reverse of this coin and was later used on the Krugerrand range. The denomination (£1/2) is shown below with SOUTH AFRICA · 1953 · SUID AFRIKA above.
The obverse of this 1953 South African gold coin features Mary Gillick's first coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, shown wearing a wreath of laurels, paired with a simple legend that reads 'ELIZABETH II REGINA'.
SA £1/2 coins like this one are struck to the same specifications as a British Half Sovereign in 3.99 grams of 22-carat gold with an attractive proof finish. The coin measures 19.5 millimetres from milled edge to milled edge.
Hern records that 4,000 gold proof £1/2 coins were issued by the SA Mint in 1953, with the entire mintage used for 11-coin long sets (3,000 issued) and two-coin sets (1,000), meaning this piece must originally have been part of a set.
This South African coin has the distinction of being one of the very few official gold coins issued in Queen Elizabeth II's coronation year, making examples of this and the 1953 gold £1 highly sought-after by collectors.
