![]() Of all the countries in the world, no one can tell the story of human origins better than South Africa. ![]() ![]() Thus Africa can be regarded as the birthplace of humankind and therefore everyone on earth can trace their ancestry back to Africa. ![]() These fossils also represent more hominin species than those found in any other country in the world. These species are represented by the hundreds of thousands of fossils that have been discovered in virtually every province in South Africa, which are far more than the hominin fossils that have been discovered in the rest of the world put together. Hominin species refer to any member of the family tree that split from the common ancestor we share with chimpanzees and ultimately ended with the appearance of humans, while the term hominid is used to include humankind and the chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla and orangutan. The second instalment of the palaeontology theme features the ‘Cradle of Humankind – hominids’. The next step of evolution, which saw the rise of the dinosaurs, crocodiles and pterosaurs, was imminent. The Archosauriforms evolved at the end of the Triassic, finally taking over the last enclaves of synapsid domination. The Archosauria- crocodiles, pterosaurs, dinosaurs and birds- or the ruling reptiles, were magnificent beasts which ruled over the land and sky for 180 million years, from the Triassic to the Cretacecous periods. This 12 km thick layer of sedimentary rock was set down over a period of almost 120 million years when South Africa was still part of southern Gondwanaland. The Karoo supergroup of South Africa is one of the geological wonders of the world. In this first instalment of the palaeontology-themed coins, the focus is ‘Rise of the dinosaurs – Archosauria’ over the five 24ct gold coins. The design also illustrates the development of South Africa’s currency, the influence of technology, historic design ideas and themes over time.2019 | NATURA – PALAEONTOLOGY: The rise of the DinosaursĪ new chapter in the award-winning Natura series begins with the introduction of palaeontology, in recognition of South Africa’s significance to this field and study of plant and animal fossils. a 10c coin depicts the Cape Honey Bee and represents the future of the South Africa’s national currency.the R5 coin minted in 2008 in honour of former President Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, represents commemorative circulation coins issued over the years and.the 1990 1c coin featuring two sparrows, which represents the third decimal coin series.The coin featured is part of the second decimal coin series the 1965 20c coin, which depicts the king protea, South Africa’s national fower.The springbok has featured on numerous coins and is especially recognised as the reverse design on the world-famous Krugerrand a 1961 R1 gold coin featuring the springbok, which represents the introduction of the rand as the offcial currency in the same year South Africa became a Republic.the 1923 three pence (Tickey), which represents the currency issued during the period of the Union of South Africa.The coins featured, from left to right, are: The reverse designs on the coin celebrate the centenary of the South African Reserve Bank, the oldest central bank in Africa, through different circulation coins issued over a 100 year period. The obverse depicts the South African coat of arms, the words ‘South Africa’ written in two of the official languages of South Africa, namely isiXhosa ‘uMzantsi Afrika’ and Afrikaans ‘Suid-Afrika’ and the year the coin was issued, ‘2021’. Organisation: The South African Mint Company & South African Reserve Bank
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |