South African Mint

The South Africa Mint was officially established in 1892 in Pretoria and has evolved from a colonial-era institution into a modern minting powerhouse serving both domestic and international markets. Opened under President Paul Kruger of the South African Republic, the mint began producing coins to support the booming gold economy. After the Second Boer War ended in 1902, British forces took control of the region, and coin production ceased temporarily. In 1923, the mint was re-established as a branch of The Royal Mint, continuing to produce British coinage, including gold sovereigns like the 1926 issue. In 1926 the Mint produced 11,107,611 sovereigns with the mint mark 'SA'. 

H.M. Queen Elizabeth II

The South Africa 1926 Gold Sovereign is historically connected to Queen Elizabeth II as it was minted in the year of her birth, making it a popular "birth year" coin among collectors honouring her legacy. H.M. Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, during the reign of her grandfather, H.M. King George V, whose portrait appears on the obverse of the coin. This is one of several sovereigns minted that year, but the Pretoria Mint version is especially prized due to its colonial origin and limited production window.