Minted from 1947 to 1960, composition .800 silver initially, reduced to .500 fine after 1950. 363,000 were struck for 1947, coinciding with the Royal Tour of South Africa that year.
The original design of 1947 turned out to be a one year type insofar as for 1948 "IMPERATOR" was removed from the legend on account of King George VI no longer being Emperor of newly independent India.
Other changes in this series included abbreviating the denomination starting in 1951, and depicting Queen Elizabeth II from 1953 onwards.

