Currency History: South Africa

The colonial history of South Africa is highlighted in its banknotes, which even after its independence from Britain had a portrait of Dutch explorer Jan van Riebeeck who once founded the modern Cape Town.

In the 90s, the banknotes replaced colonial figures with that of animals, which were ironically more acceptable to South Africans.

In 2012, the late anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela debuted in the newly minted banknotes and continues to be the face of its currency till now.