Currency Information
Currency: | South African Rand |
Currency code: | ZAR |
Currency symbol: | R |
Bank notes: | R10, R20, R50, R100, R200 |
Coins: | 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5 |
Daily Cost
Three-course meal for 2, mid-range restaurant | 500 Rands | |
One-way ticket for local transport | 18 Rands | |
Bottle of water | 9.91 Rands |
As a trading centre, multiple currencies circulated throughout South Africa. The first official currency used was the Guilder. During the late 17th century, the Rixdollar was used and was the first South African currency to include paper notes. During British occupation, in 1826, the Cape Colony was put on a sterling basis, though other currencies, including Spanish Dollars, US Dollars, French Francs, and Indian Rupees continued to circulate. In 1921, the Reserve Bank of South Africa was established as the central bank. In 1961, the South African Rand replaced the Pound under a decimalized system. The ratio was 2 ZAR to 1 GBP.