How Are Coins Made In South Africa
At the South African Mint, a committed management group and staff oversee the production of circulation coins using a computer-integrated manufacturing system.
Where are coins made in South Africa?
Southern African Mint
For the South African Reserve Bank, which is the mint’s owner, the South African Mint is in charge of producing all South African rand coins. The mint, which is situated in Centurion, Gauteng, close to South Africa’s administrative capital Pretoria, creates coins and planchets for both domestic and foreign markets.
South African Coin Manufacturing Process
Slitting, using new materials, and casting
The extremely contemporary continuous casting furnace at the Casting Section is where production begins. After melting in the furnace, the raw materials are divided into two parts and cast using carbon dies.
To prepare for the rolling procedure, the solidified crust of the alloy is scalped and rolled up into two strips that are then drawn through a milling machine.
Rolling Mills
To create strip with the proper thickness, coils are rolled using contemporary computer-controlled breakdown and fine rolling mills. A product produced by electronic measurement equipment is controlled in thickness and produced to within a few microns of the specified thickness. These tolerances are crucial in deciding the product’s final mass. An organized and secure workplace is made possible by the automated delivery and removal of supplies using automated guided vehicles.
Blanking
Precision die-sets mounted in fast blanking presses are used to punch blank circular discs from metal strip. Before beginning the deburring, electroplating, and coining processes, each coin blank is ringed around its entire perimeter.
Electroplating
The process of electroplating involves applying a specified layer thickness of copper, nickel, or bronze to the substratum (core) of steel or an alloy.
An alternate technique for creating less expensive blanks while preserving the aesthetic and functional qualities of a solid alloy based coin is electro plating. Traditional alloy circulation coins travel past the plating plant on conveyor belts to the following stage without going through the electroplating process.
Polishing and annealing
The method of annealing involves passing coin blanks through a flat belt furnace with
Nitrogen provides a shielding environment to stop oxidation. After the heat treatment, all coin blanks go through a polishing procedure to get rid of any small blemishes or flaws and prepare them for the minting process with a high-quality surface finish.
Coining
The prepared coin blanks are struck on high-speed presses at stroke rates between 750 and 850 times per minute. Both the coin’s obverse and reverse bear the distinctive national emblems of each nation, both for South Africa and globally.
Packing
According to client preferences, the South African Mint provides a range of packaging alternatives. The goods is then packed and kept in a high-bay store that is computer controlled and only accessible by automated guided vehicles. Alternately,they are shipped off to the client after being delivered to the dispatch department.
What is the composition of South African Rand and coins?
Denominations of R1 or more are made of copper that has been nickel-plated, while the R5 has a copper-nickel rim and an aluminum bronze core that resembles a cent.
