Dr Ahmed Kathrada holding the pure-gold R25 (1oz) Protea coin.
The South African Mint Company (SA Mint), together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, has unveiled the second edition of the Protea coin series: the 2014 Protea Life of a Legend coin series themed around Nelson Mandela’s education and dedication to lifelong learning.
The three-coin series is issued in denominations of R25, R5 and R1.
The R25 and R5 coins are available in 24-carat gold 1oz and 1/10oz, and the R1 is a sterling silver coin.
On education and learning
All three coins have the same obverse: South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, in a half garland below Mandela in one of his trademark Madiba shirts.
The former president of South Africa was the first member of his family to attend school.
Education was extremely important to him throughout his life.
The sterling silver R1 Protea coin depicts Mr Mandela as a child practising how to write "Nelson" on a slate board.
The coin also features one of Mr Mandela many famous quotations: “The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and education is a very important weapon to prepare children for their future roles as leaders of the community.”
The pure gold R25 (1oz) Protea coin displays the University of Fort Hare and a young Mr Mandela wearing a double-breasted suit.
He is quoted on this coin as well: “Everywhere in the world it is accepted that students, as a thinking and independent-minded section of the population, have the right to freedom of thought and expression of opinion.”
Mr Mandela sincerely believed that education is the key to changing lives.
His famous words on the pure gold R5 (1/10oz) Protea coin are: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”
The sterling silver R1 Protea coin depicts Mr Mandela as a child practising how to write ‘Nelson’ on a slate board.
“The South African Mint Company is honoured to release the second Protea coin series on the first Mandela Day that he is not with us,” said Tumi Tsehlo, MD of the SA Mint. “Making it more special is that it is dedicated to education, which was so close to his heart.”
Sello Hatang, CE of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, commented: “These beautiful coins, which commemorate the life and times of Madiba, continue to propagate his life and his beliefs, which we cherish as the Nelson Mandela Foundation. They are testament to a living legacy.”
All three coins have the same obverse: South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, in a half garland below Mandela in one of his trademark Madiba shirts.
The Life of a Legend series tells a unique South African story, one that adds timeless value to any collection.
The 2014 Protea Life of a legend coin series is available for purchase at the SA Mint in Centurion.
Information for editors
Launched in 2013, the Protea Life of a Legend coin series is dedicated to the life and times of former president Nelson Mandela. Over a 12-year period from 2013, the coins will each year depict a theme from the former President’s life. The 2013 Protea Life of a Legend series portrays Mandela’s childhood in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape and his subsequent move to Qunu.
Media enquiries
Nosipho Theyise: Media Coordinator, Group Strategy & Communications at the South African Reserve Bank
Nosipho.Theyise@resbank.co.za
Sales enquiries
Lesego Kamasha, SA Mint Company (RF) (Pty) Limited
numismatics@samint.co.za
Mr Tumi Tsehlo, Mr Daniel Mminele, Ms G Marcus, Dr Ahmed Kathrada, Mr Francois Groepe, with the 2014 Protea coin series display.