South Africa 50 Rand ND 1984 P-122a — Signature 6, G. P. C. de Kock

📸 Please Note: The photos show a representative example. If we have more than one in stock, your note may have a different serial number, but it will be in the same condition as described.

The Ultimate South African Banknote:

⚡ Extreme Index: 5.2 / 10
Why it’s extreme: Apartheid-era South African 50 rand featuring Jan van Riebeeck.

• History & drama (30%): 6.5/10
• Scarcity (25%): 5/10 (Numista rarity index 38/100)
• Wow factor (20%): 5.5/10
• Age (15%): 4/10
• Condition (10%): 2.5/10

The Extreme Index is Extreme Banknotes’ own collector score based on history, scarcity, curiosity, age and condition — it is not a valuation or investment rating.

Discover an authentic 50 Rand banknote from South Africa, issued in 1984 and catalogued as Pick P-122a. This historic note features the signature of Gerhardus Petrus Christiaan de Kock, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank from 1981 to 1989.

Included Banknote:

• 🇿🇦 Country: South Africa
• 💵 Denomination: 50 Rand
• 📅 Date: ND (1984)
• 🔢 Pick Number: P-122a
• ✍️ Signature: G. P. C. de Kock — Signature 6
• 🏦 Issuer: South African Reserve Bank
• 📏 Dimensions: 147 × 83 mm
• 💧 Watermark: Bartholomeus Vermuyden
• 📄 Material: Paper

History and Significance:

• 🇿🇦 The Rand has been South Africa's currency since 1961.
• 🏦 This note was issued by the South African Reserve Bank during the 1980s.
• ✍️ The P-122a variety is identified by the G. P. C. de Kock signature, also known as Signature 6.
• 👤 De Kock served as Governor President of the South African Reserve Bank from 1981 to 1989.
• 📜 The note belongs to an important pre-1994 era of South African paper currency.

Design Details:

• 👤 Obverse: Portrait of Bartholomeus Vermuyden, a Dutch officer from the English Civil War, with a lion incorporated into the multicolour background.
• 💰 Denomination: Large 50 Rand numerals dominate the design.
• 🦁 Background: A lion and colourful geometric elements provide the security-printing backdrop.
• 🦒 Reverse: South African wildlife, including animals gathered near a watering hole, with mountains and vegetation in the background.
• 💧 Watermark: Portrait of Bartholomeus Vermuyden.

Interesting historical detail: the portrait on these South African banknotes was long believed to represent Jan van Riebeeck, but Numista notes that it is actually Bartholomeus Vermuyden.

Numismatic Features:

• 🔎 Pick: P-122a
• ✍️ Signature: de Kock / Signature 6
• 📅 Issue: ND (1984)
• 🏦 Issuer: South African Reserve Bank
• 📏 Size: 147 × 83 mm
• 📄 Material: Paper
• 💧 Watermark: Bartholomeus Vermuyden
• 📊 Recorded printing: approximately 199,160,000 pieces for the standard P-122a issue.

Condition Guide:

UNC (Uncirculated) indicates a banknote that has not been used in circulation and retains its original crispness.

• ✨ Crisp, clean paper with no folds or creases
• 📐 Sharp corners and well-defined edges
• 🎨 Strong, original printing and colors
• 🔍 No noticeable signs of circulation
• 📄 Overall fresh and well-preserved appearance