Gold Ounce 2017 Mandela - Freedom Struggle, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

The obverse, common for all coins of the series in 2017, features Mr Mandela wearing one of his iconic Madiba shirts, underlined by a wreath made from South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, and the date of issue 2017 divided by the portrait.

Above Mandela's shoulder, the initials of the die-sinker VLC (for VL Chipa); the design is by L Guerra.

Around above, the legend SOUTH AFRICA.

The R25 (1oz, 24ct gold) 2017 Protea coin quotes Prisoner No. 1 from his opening statement at the Rivonia Trial:

I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

The inscription is in two concentric lines around the centre, which is occupied by a portrait of Mr Mandela.

Around the rim of the coin, the names of the ten accused, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Denis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Lionel Bernstein (acquitted), Raymond Mhlaba, James Kantor (acquitted), Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni.

The value and denomination R 25 (Twenty-five Rand) are to the left of the portrait.

Around below, the metal content and composition of the coin: 1 oz Au 999.9 (Au is abbreviated from Aurum, which means "gold" in Latin and is used internationally on gold bullion coinage).

Above Mandela's shoulder, the initials of the die-sinker VLC (for VL Chipa); the design is by L Guerra.