/ 4 February 2009

SA to get new-look coins

South Africa is to get some ”exciting and hip” new coins, but what they will look like is still under wraps, says government spokesperson Themba Maseko.

Briefing the media at Parliament on Wednesday following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting, he said the new coins would be unveiled soon.

”The proposed design changes for various coins were approved [by Cabinet]. The new designs will be gazetted shortly.”

Responding to a question, he said one of the coin designs he had seen commemorated the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

”I’ve looked at the coin designs, they’re quite exciting and hip … I can tell you, they’ll be very modern coins.”

Speaking to the South African Press Association later, Maseko said the new designs included R1 and R2 commemorative gold coins, and redesigned five, 10, 20 and 50 cent standard coins. — Sapa