Five Cent (5c)
The Blue Crane (Anthropoides Paradisea) is our national bird and is found throughout the large Savannah areas of South Africa, usually near water. Each bird is about 105 cm tall with both sexes identical. Identification is easy because of the large head with dark brown irises and a pinkish bill. Nesting pairs seem to mate for life and use the same nesting sites. The Blue Crane population is thriving. As the Blue Crane is more-or-less confined to South Africa, it has been used only on South African coins. Our second decimal series. 1965 to 1990, had the Blue Crane on the nickel 5c and it was retained on the copper plated 5c on the third decimal series, but with a redesigned image. The Blue Crane portrayed on the reverse of the South African 5c was modeled by G Richard; the obverse was modeled by A Sutherland. The design was developed from an original artwork by the well-known artist, Dick Findley. The artwork is on display at the South African Mint's museum.
Specifications
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Description
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Diameter (mm)
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Mass (g)
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Metal
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Content
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Die-sinker
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Obverse/ Reverse
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5c Blue Crane
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21
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4.5
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Copper-plated Steel
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AL Sutherland
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G Richard
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Language rotation
2002 - siSwati
2003 - Xitsonga
2004 - English
2005 - Setswana
2006 - Sepedi/Sesotho
2007 - Afrikaana
2008 - isiXhosa
2009 - isiZuli
2010 - isiNdebele
2011 - Tshivenda