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2 Rand, South African Reserve Bank, South Africa, 1978–1990 (Pick 118)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1978-1990

Issuing entity

Union of South Africa

This 2 Rand note was issued in South Africa by the South African Reserve Bank, with dates recorded from 1978–1990. It belongs to the Rand (1961-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Republic (1961-date). It measures 120 × 57 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 118.

Obverse: Blue on multicolour underprint. Bartholomeus Vermuyden at left. Bank name in top and bottom center. Denomination across the middle with powerlines in the background. Its lettering reads “2 SUID-AFRIKAANSE / RESERWEBANK / EK BELOOF OP AANVRAAG TE BETAAL / AAN TOONDER TE PRETORIA TWEE RAND / I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER / ON DEMAND AT PRETORIA TWO RAND / VIR DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE RESERWEBANK / FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK / PRETORIA T.W. Dejongh PRESIDENT. / GOVERNOR. / TWEE / TWO RAND / SOUTH AFRICAN / RESERVE BANK 2”.

Reverse: Blue on multicolour underprint. Scene showing a Petrochemical plant, possibly SASOL in Sasolburg. Its lettering reads “2 / 2”. Watermark: Portrait of Bartholomeus Vermuyden. Signatures recorded for the type: Theunis Willem de Jongh (TWJ) (Governor President); Gerhardus Petrus Christiaan de Kock (GPCK) (Governor President); Christian Lodewyk Stals (CLS) (Governor President). Demonetized: Yes. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

The picture on this note and the similar notes are of the Dutch officer Bartholomeus Vermuyden, from the English civil war. For a long time the picture the image was taken from, was mistankely thought to be of van Riebeeck. This applies to the portrait on all 1948 to 1994 South African Banknotes. UV activity: Differences between issues: 1978 P#118a - Signature de Jongh, no metalic thread, Fractional numbering for example A4/44 - Numbered A/1 to A3/73 (1 million per number) 1981 P#118b - Signature de Kock, no metalic thread, Fractional numbering for example A4/44 - Numbered A3/74 to A4/66 (1 million per number) 1981 P#118c - Signature de Kock, with metalized plastic thread, Fractional numbering for example A4/44 - Numbered A4/67 to A7/936 (1 million per number) 1983-1984 P#118c - Signature de Kock, with metalized plastic thread, Alpha numeric numbering for example AL - 1983 numbered from AA to AS (variable number of notes per combination, maximum 10 million) - 1984 numbered from AT to AV (variable number of notes per combination, maximum 10 million) 1983-1990 P#118d - Signature de Kock, with magnetic metal thread, Alpha numeric numbering for example AL - 1983 numbered from AK to AS (variable number of notes per combination, maximum 10 million) - 1984 numbered from AT to GR (variable number of notes per combination, maximum 10 million) - 1989 numbered GS only (10 million) 1990 - P#118e - Signature Stals, with magnetic metal thread, Alpha numeric numbering for example AL - Numbered AA only (10 million)

Physical characteristics

Size
120 × 57 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
Portrait of Bartholomeus Vermuyden

Technical characteristics

Currency
Rand (1961-date)
Signatures
Theunis Willem de Jongh (TWJ) (Governor President) Gerhardus Petrus Christiaan de Kock (GPCK) (Governor President) Christian Lodewyk Stals (CLS) (Governor President)
Demonetized
Yes
Issuing bank
South African Reserve Bank

Design

Obverse
Blue on multicolour underprint. Bartholomeus Vermuyden at left. Bank name in top and bottom center. Denomination across the middle with powerlines in the background.
Reverse
Blue on multicolour underprint. Scene showing a Petrochemical plant, possibly SASOL in Sasolburg
Obverse lettering
2 SUID-AFRIKAANSE / RESERWEBANK / EK BELOOF OP AANVRAAG TE BETAAL / AAN TOONDER TE PRETORIA TWEE RAND / I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER / ON DEMAND AT PRETORIA TWO RAND / VIR DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE RESERWEBANK / FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK / PRETORIA T.W. Dejongh PRESIDENT. / GOVERNOR. / TWEE / TWO RAND / SOUTH AFRICAN / RESERVE BANK 2
Reverse lettering
2 / 2

Identification

Value
2 Rand
Dates recorded
1978-1990
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 118

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Research required
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P118
  • NumistaN# 207688

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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