Union of South Africa 1 Shilling

The Union 1 Shilling from South Africa was one of the last circulating coins to boast a 0.500 silver fineness, a practical holdover from colonial times that persisted until 1960.

Weighing 5.65 grams and measuring 23.5 mm across, it featured the British monarch's portrait on the obverse and the South African coat of arms on the reverse. Designs evolved over the years, swapping kings as reigns changed, but the core struck at the Pretoria Mint remained consistent. Mintage figures vary by year; some records are spotty due to wartime disruptions.

Early issues, like those from 1923, saw heavy circulation in a growing economy. By the 1950s, rising silver prices made them less common. If you handle one, note the reeded edge—supposedly to fight counterfeiting, though it might just irritate pickpockets.