Through the RMA agreement, the South African rand remained legal tender in all member nations and circulated alongside the national money of the member nations. Krugerrands are gold coins that were minted by the Republic of South Africa in 1967 to help promote South African gold to international markets and to make it possible for individuals to own gold. Up until the early 1970s, the rand was worth around R1.5 per U.S. dollar (USD). However, over the ensuing decades, the rand exchange rate has depreciated or weakened, meaning it costs more rand to convert to one U.S. dollar. For example, it had cost approximately R2.55 to convert to one USD in 1990, and by 1999, the exchange rate was R6.14 to the USD.

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Check live rates, send money securely, set rate alerts, receive notifications and more. Create a chart for any currency pair in the world to see their currency history. These currency charts use live mid-market rates, are easy to use, and are very reliable. If you don’t spend all of your USD on your trip, you have 30 days upon your re-entry to South Africa to sell it back to an authorized dealer.

The rand comes from the word “Witwatersrand,” which means “white waters ridge.” Johannesburg, the location of a majority of South Africa’s gold deposits, is located on this ridge. The 2005 series has the same principal design but with additional security features, such as colour-shifting ink on the 50 rand and higher and the EURion constellation. The obverses of all denominations were printed in English, while two other official languages were printed on the reverse, thus using all 11 official languages of South Africa. In sterling terms, it fell from around 9.5% to just over 7%, losing some 25% of its international trade-weighted value in six months.

In late 2007, the rand rallied modestly to just over 8%, only to experience a precipitous slide during the first quarter of 2008. This sudden depreciation in 2001 led to a formal investigation and a dramatic recovery. By the end of 2002, the currency was trading under R9 to the dollar again, and by the end of 2004, it was trading under R5.70. The currency softened somewhat in 2005, trading around R6.35 to the dollar at the end of the year. At the start of 2006, however, the currency resumed its rally and, as of 19 January 2006, was trading under R6 to the dollar again. However, the rand weakened significantly during the second and third quarters of 2006 (i.e., April through September).

1. Modeled on the Bank of England (BoE), the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) stands as the monetary authority for South Africa and issues its currency.
2. However, over the ensuing decades, the rand exchange rate has depreciated or weakened, meaning it costs more rand to convert to one U.S. dollar.
3. In 1921, the Reserve Bank of South Africa was established as the central bank.
4. This also includes intervention in the forex markets when necessary.
5. These are the highest points the exchange rate has been at in the last 30 and 90-day periods.
6. If the price of gold fluctuates, so does the value of Krugerrands.

To maintain this policy, the governor and 14-member board head the bank’s activities and work toward monetary goals. The controversial land reform programme that was initiated in Zimbabwe, followed by the September 11, 2001 attacks, propelled one minute candlestick trading strategy it to its weakest historical level of R13.84 to the dollar in December 2001. Compare our rate and fee with our competitors and see the difference for yourself.

United States Dollar

Krugerrands derive their value from the gold out of which they are made. If the price of gold fluctuates, so does the value of Krugerrands. Krugerrands are one of the most frequently traded forms of gold. Banks often advertise free or low-cost transfers, but add a hidden markup to the exchange rate. Wise gives you the real, mid-market, exchange rate, so you can make huge savings on your international money transfers.

Exchange rate

In recent years, the rand is somewhat correlated with gold prices as the South African economy still relies on its gold exports. Instead, a series of banknotes containing photos of the country’s treasured wildlife were introduced. Also, in 2012, a rand banknote containing a picture of former President Nelson Mandela was released as part of the Mandela series. South Africa experienced major political changes in the early 1990s. For years, South Africa was ruled by apartheid; by the late 1980s and early 1990s, the political landscape had changed.

The currency code for Rand is ZAR, and the currency symbol is R. Below, you’ll find South African Rand rates and a currency converter. In 1986, following the substantial depreciation of the rand, the countries replaced the RMA with the Common Monetary Area (CMA) to manage monetary policy. The CMA and the Southern African Customs Union work together to help member nations. The terms of the new agreement provided Swaziland with additional flexibility in its monetary policy. Modeled on the Bank of England (BoE), the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) stands as the monetary authority for South Africa and issues its currency.

Adam received his master’s in economics from The New School for Social Research and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology. He is a CFA charterholder as well as holding FINRA Series 7, 55 & 63 licenses. He currently researches and teaches economic sociology and the social studies of finance at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 2013, the 2012 series was updated with the addition of the EURion constellation to all five denominations.[43] They were entered into circulation on 6 November 2013.

One of the outspoken critics and leaders of the anti-apartheid struggle was Nelson Mandela—imprisoned for his views for 27 years. Up until the 1990s, the rand mainly contained photos of people and notable leaders from the apartheid regime. The U.S. dollar is the currency most used in international transactions. Several countries use the U.S. dollar as their official currency, and many others allow it to be used in a de facto capacity.

Before the agreement, these countries had participated in an informal arrangement among the same countries where only the South African currency circulated. Krugerrands are among the most frequently traded gold coins in the world market. The South African rand is made up of 100 cents current value of bitcoin and is often presented with the symbol R.

Our smart tech means we’re more efficient – which means you get a great rate. They add hidden markups to international council of air shows their exchange rates – charging you more without your knowledge. Once you know that information, multiply the amount you have in ZAR by the current exchange rate.

You can either make the conversion using a currency calculator or by hand. Three countries that peg their currency with the rand are Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia. In other states, the program is sponsored by Community Federal Savings Bank, to which we’re a service provider. The Xe Rate Alerts will let you know when the rate you need is triggered on your selected currency pairs.