Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary, Coin from South Africa

Coin	Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary

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). The Five Rand coin is bimetallic, with a brass centre and a copper-nickel outer ring. The edge has a "security groove" and lettering repeated ten times around the coin: SARB R5 (SARB for the South African Reserve Bank, which is the issuer of the coin, and R5 as abbreviation of the value).

From time to time, the South African Mint issues commemorative designs in the denomination, to mark special occasions.

This coin was issued as part of the 2017 Celebrating South Africa coin series, which celebrates milestones and symbols of South Africa’s freedom, democracy and culture.

The mint says:
"In 2017, the South African Mint introduced the theme of Celebrating South Africa. Fittingly, the same year marks the centenary of the birth, on 27 October 1917, of Oliver Reginald Tambo. This product series commemorates his legacy by depicting the roles he played at various stages of his life and political career in securing a free, democratic and culturally dynamic South Africa

"Comrade OR", as he was affectionately known, was a founding member of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League and between 1944 and his untimely passing in 1993, took on various leadership roles in the party including General Secretary, National Chairperson, Deputy President and President.

Although "Comrade OR" did not fully experience the liberated and democratic dispensation we now enjoy, he spent the better part of his life standing up for those very ideals - for this, his legacy lives on.

The series consists of a 1 oz pure-gold R500 proof coin, a 1 oz sterling-silver R50 proof coin, a base-metal R50 non-circulating legal tender coin and R5 commemorative circulation coin."

Mint	South African Mint	Mint Mark	No mint mark	Mintage	unknown

Obverse

The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of South Africa in the central (brass) circle; below that in small letters, the designer's initials ALS (for Arthur L. Sutherland).

Around the outer ring of the coin, divided by the date · 2017 ·, is the legend "South Africa" written in two of the eleven official languages of the country: South Africa · Afrika-Dzonga - in English and Tsonga respectively.

Obverse Inscription	South Africa · 2017 · Afrika-Dzonga ·

Reverse

The reverse of the coin bears the "Order of the Companions of OR Tambo", which was instituted in 2002 to honour international heads of state and eminent people for their friendship to South Africa. The elements of the Order - a neck badge and a walking stick - feature prominently in the design, resoundingly acknowledging his contribution to the struggle for equality and inclusiveness.

The symbols reflected on the coin include the Majola (mole snake) which, according to African mythology, embodies friendship, protection and active support. The walking stick signifies support and commitment; and the universal yin and yang symbol suggests a meeting point for diverse spiritual energies.

Above the symbols, the value and denomination R 5 (Five Rand). Around left in the inner circle. O.R. TAMBO; around right, the anniversary dates 1917 - 2017. Below right in small letters, the initials of the die-sinker CM (for C Moses).

Around above the outer ring of the coin, the inscription: ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF O. R. TAMBO.

The abbreviation SARB (South African Reserve Bank, the issuer of the coin) is repeated 17 times as an ornament in microtext around below.

Reverse Inscription	ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF O. R. TAMBO R5 OLIVER REGINALD TAMBO 1917 - 2017 O.R. TAMBO

Edge	Security Groove with Lettering	Edge Inscription	SARB R5 (repeated ten times)

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Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary: Known varieties

Variety	Proof
Images
Mintage	Issued: unknown
Details	Issued in the mint sets only, not individually.
In Sets	2017 OR Tambo Prestige Set, mintage unknown 4 coins: 1 oz Gold OR Tambo Centenary, 1 oz Silver OR Tambo Centenary, R50 OR Tambo Centenary, R5 OR Tambo Centenary 2017 OR Tambo Three Coin Set, mintage unknown 3 coins: 1 oz Silver OR Tambo Centenary, R50 OR Tambo Centenary, R5 OR Tambo Centenary

Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary: References to Information Used

Source	Edition	About	Link	Notes
South African Mint		Coin description	link

All (40) coins of type: Five Rand

Coin Name	Mintage	Symbol	Legend
Five Rand 1994 Presidential Inauguration	10,105,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA 1994
Five Rand 1994	45,224,590	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA 1994
Five Rand 1995	41,252,293	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	SOUTH AFRICA SUID-AFRIKA 1995
Five Rand 1996	15,451,503	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1996
Five Rand 1997	1,287,111	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1997
Five Rand 1998	1,159,538	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1998
Five Rand 1999	8,809,299	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 1999
Five Rand 2000 Mandela	6,240,000		ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2000
Five Rand 2000 (Old CoA)	1,011,470	Coat of Arms of South Africa, 1910	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2000
Five Rand 2000 (New CoA)	6,200,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2001
Five Rand 2001	2,004,457	Coat of Arms of South Africa	ININGIZIMU AFRIKA 2001
Five Rand 2002	1,003,356	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afurika Tshipembe 2002 iSewula Afrika
Five Rand 2003	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afurika Tshipembe 2003 Ningizimu Afrika
Five Rand 2004	31,103,178	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika-Dzonga · 2004 · Ningizimu Afrika ·
Five Rand 2005	35,586,941	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika Dzonga · 2005 · South Africa ·
Five Rand 2006	14,002,594	Coat of Arms of South Africa	South Africa · 2006 · Aforika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2007	11,763,634	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Aforika Borwa · 2007 · Afrika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2008	14,092,553	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika Borwa · 2008 · Suid-Afrika ·
Five Rand 2008 Nelson Mandela	22,106,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika Borwa · 2008 · Suid-Afrika ·
Five Rand 2009	11,178,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Suid-Afrika · 2009 · uMzantsi Afrika ·
Five Rand 2010	8,065,563	Coat of Arms of South Africa	uMzantsi Afrika · 2010 · iNingizimu Afrika ·
Five Rand 2011	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	iNingizimu Afrika · 2011 · iSewula Afrika ·
Five Rand 2011 Anniversary of SARB	5,000,000	Coat of Arms of South Africa	iNingizimu Afrika · 2011 · iSewula Afrika ·
Five Rand 2012	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	iNingizimu Afrika · 2012 · uMzantsi Afrika ·
Five Rand 2013	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	iSewula Afrika · 2013 · iNingizimu Afrika ·
Five Rand 2014	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afurika Tshipembe · 2014 · iSewula Afrika ·
Five Rand 2014 Twenty Years of Freedom	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afurika Tshipembe · 2014 · iSewula Afrika ·
Five Rand 2015	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Ningizimu Afrika · 2015 · Afurika Tshipembe ·
Five Rand 2015 Griqua Town	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	SOUTH AFRICA 2015
Five Rand 2016	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika-Dzonga · 2016 · Ningizimu Afrika ·
Five Rand 2017	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	South Africa · 2017 · Afrika-Dzonga ·
Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	South Africa · 2017 · Afrika-Dzonga ·
Five Rand 2018	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	South Africa · 2018 · Aforika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	South Africa · 2018 · Aforika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2019	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika Borwa · 2019 · Aforika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2019 Constitutional Democracy	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Afrika Borwa · 2019 · Aforika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2020	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	Suid-Afrika · 2020 · Afrika Borwa ·
Five Rand 2021	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	uMzantsi Afrika · 2021 · Suid-Afrika ·
Five Rand 2021 Centenary of SARB	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	uMzantsi Afrika · 2021 · Suid-Afrika ·
Five Rand 2022	unknown	Coat of Arms of South Africa	iNingizimu Afrika · 2022 · uMzantsi Afrika ·

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Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary: Details

Country	South Africa
Currency	Rand
Coin Type	Five Rand, Commemorative (Bimetallic)
Issued	2017
Symbol	Coat of Arms of South Africa
Face Value	5 (x Rand)
Mintage	unknown
Current	Yes
Material	Bimetallic
Designer	Arthur Sutherland
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size	26.0000 mm
Thickness	3.0000 mm
Mass	9.5000 g
OCC ID	RNAZ-OGWC-VQVQ-OXJL

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Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary: Photos

Image	Details
	Commemorative R5 Proof 2017 OR Tambo Copyright: South African Mint Notes: Proof. Source
	Commemorative R5 Proof 2017 OR Tambo Copyright: South African Mint Notes: Proof. Source

Five Rand 2017 OR Tambo Centenary, Coin from South Africa - detailed information