We buy and sell all South African bank notes from pre-reserve bank to date. please visit our shop to view our correctly graded SA bank notes for sale. These are sourced from all around the world from high quality note collectors. We also purchase from the public subject to verification of authenticity and quality.
To get an offer on your SA notes, please whatsapp us images of the bank notes that you have to receive a purchase offer. Following this, should provisional offer be accepted, we collect the items and only pay once these are authenticated ( 1- 3 days).
History of SA Bank Notes
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) commenced the issuance of banknotes a century ago; however, the origins of paper currency in South Africa trace back to Cape Town. This development began when Dutch settler Jan van Riebeeck established a trading post for the Dutch East India Company. The initial currency utilized was the Dutch guilder, introduced by various traders and sailors frequenting Cape Town.
In 1782, Cape Town saw the introduction of its first paper money, which consisted of the rix dollar and the stiver as the prevailing paper currencies in the region. The inaugural notes were handwritten and featured a government fiscal handstamp indicating the date of issuance and the denomination of the note.
Subsequently, following the bankruptcy of the Dutch East India Company, Great Britain assumed control of the colony and implemented a new currency, officially designating the area as a British Colony in 1806.
In 1961, the rand was launched, supplanting the pound, shortly before South Africa transitioned from being a Commonwealth member to a republic.
From 1961 to 1991, the obverse of the banknotes prominently displayed the image of Jan van Riebeeck. The initial series featured solely his portrait, while later editions incorporated various additional symbols, including the protea, Cape Dutch architecture, vines, the Voortrekker Monument, the Great Trek, the Union Buildings, and the springbok.
The reverse sides featured illustrations of Jan van Riebeeck’s sailing vessel, the central area of Johannesburg, as well as representations of agriculture, mining, and the local flora and fauna.
The initial collection of banknotes issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) included four denominations: R1, R2, R10, and R20. The subsequent series introduced a R5 note, while the third series included a R50 note.
Since 1992, South Africa has issued five distinct banknotes across four different series. From 1992 to 2011, the first three series showcased the country’s iconic big five animals on the obverse, with various economic sectors depicted on the reverse. Notably, in 1994, the banknotes featured inscriptions in African languages for the first time, expanding beyond the previous use of only English and Afrikaans.
In 2012, the South African Reserve Bank introduced new banknotes in honor of Nelson Mandela, the nation’s first democratic President. These notes were issued 28 years following his liberation from incarceration. The obverse side of the banknotes prominently displayed the former President, while the reverse featured the iconic big five animals, a departure from the designs of the preceding editions.
In 2018, the South African Reserve Bank issued commemorative banknotes to honor the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. These notes serve as a tribute to his life and his contributions to the fight against apartheid. The front of the notes showcases his portrait, while the reverse side illustrates key locations that were pivotal in his life, including the site of his arrest at Howick, his birthplace, and Robben Island.
