1 rand 1961
Market Prices
13 salesAbout This Note
An exceptional uncirculated example of the South African Reserve Bank's 1961 1 Rand note (Pick P-102b), featuring a portrait of Jan van Riebeeck in an ornate oval medallion and a heraldic lion on the reverse. The note displays pristine condition with sharp, clear engraving throughout, tan and maroon coloring, and bilingual English/Afrikaans inscriptions characteristic of South Africa's post-Union currency period. This variety features English as the first line of the bank name and value, making it the P-102b variant distinct from its P-103 Afrikaans counterpart.
Common. The 1961 1 Rand P-102b was issued in substantial quantities over a four-year production period (1961-1965). eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $4-$21 range for circulated and fine examples, with UNC specimens catalogued at $14 (2019), indicating routine availability in collector markets. No evidence of restricted print runs, recalls, or scarcity factors exists for this widely-produced early SARB issue.
Issued during South Africa's transition period (1961-1965), this note commemorates Jan van Riebeeck, the founder of the Cape Colony, whose portrait anchors the front design—a choice reflecting the historical narratives of European settlement in South Africa. The heraldic lion on the reverse symbolizes national identity and sovereignty, as South Africa had recently declared itself a republic in 1961. The bilingual presentation in English and Afrikaans reflects the official language policy of the apartheid-era South African government.
The obverse features a classical engraved portrait of Jan van Riebeeck, the 17th-century founder of the Cape Colony, rendered in profile facing left with period-appropriate shoulder-length hair and beard, enclosed within an ornate oval medallion frame. The design employs fine-line engraving with decorative geometric and floral border patterns throughout, creating intricate security elements. The reverse displays a heraldic lion in rampant position (standing on hind legs), a traditional South African coat of arms symbol, similarly rendered in detailed engraving with ornamental borders. Both sides maintain consistent tan and maroon color printing on a cream-colored paper base, with bilingual text positioning English above Afrikaans to denote this as the P-102b English-first variant.
Front: 'SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK' (English) / 'SUID-AFRIKAANSE RESERVEBANK' (Afrikaans); '1 Rand' and 'ONE RAND' (English) / 'EEN RAND' (Afrikaans); 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria' (English) / 'ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria' (Afrikaans); 'For the South African Reserve Bank' (English) / 'Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reservebank' (Afrikaans); signature lines for 'Governor' and 'President'; Serial number: A 128 625209. Back: 'ONE' (English) / 'EEN' (Afrikaans); 'SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK' (English) / 'SUID AFRIKAANSE RESERWYB BANK' (Afrikaans); 'RAND' (appears on both left and right sides).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) throughout, evidenced by the fine line work, portrait detail, and security border patterns visible in both images. The printing exhibits the characteristic sharp lines and precise detail typical of 1960s South African Reserve Bank note production, likely executed by Thomas De La Rue or a similar security printer contracted by the SARB.
This note is catalogued as Pick P-102b, distinguished by the first line of bank name and denomination appearing in English ('SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK' and '1 Rand'), contrasting with P-103 which features Afrikaans in these positions. The PMG population report confirms three variants exist for this base Pick number (P-102a, P-102b, and P-102s). The observed serial number 'A 128 625209' and the pristine uncirculated condition are consistent with early-series production from this multi-year issue.
