The obverse of the 1897 South African 2 shillings has a bearded bust of President Johannes Paulus Kruger. On the reverse of the coin is Arms of the South African Republic circled by legend, date and denomination.

Lettering on the coin is:

ZUID AFRIK. REPUB. 18972 SHILLINGS

Translation: Z.A.R = Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek = South African Republic

Engraver: Otto Schultz

Johannes Paulus Kruger (1825-1904) was a prominent Boer leader against British rule and president of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republic (1883-1902) which later became the Transvaal Colony under British rule and then the Transvaal Province of the Union of South Africa.