Five Rand 2000 Mandela, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

The Rand currency was introduced in the then Union of South Africa on 14 February 1961, shortly before the establishment of the Republic on 31 May 1961. The largest circulating coin at the time was fifty cents; gradually, new coins were introduced to replace banknotes, with the highest circulating denomination now being Five Rand (abbreviated as R5).

These first R5 coins were made of Nickel-plated copper and were similar to the R2 and R1 coins of the time. The reverse depicts a Black Wildebeest or Gnu; these large animals are found in the northern grassveld regions of the Cape Province, throughout the Orange Free State to KwaZulu-Natal and the southern regions of Gauteng.

In 2004, the denomination changed to a larger bi-metallic coin, retaining the same design with some modifications; the earlier coins were not demonetised and are still legal tender.

This circulating commemorative R5 coin was issued to mark the end of Nelson Mandela's presidency. Mandela was the first post-apartheid president of the country (1994 to 1999), the first black chief executive of South Africa, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His presidency is a major milestone in the history of South Africa.