South Africa pioneered modern bullion coinage when it first issued the Krugerrand on 3 July 1967 to help market South African gold; it is the first modern bullion coin and is still issued today.
Gradually, the South African Mint started diversifying the range, first by issuing fractional Krugerrands, then by introducing different designs and metals, such as a silver one-ounce (1 oz) format. These include silver 1 oz Krugerrands, the Protea series, the Natura series, as well as one-year types that do not fall into a particular series. Some are made of Sterling silver (92.5%) alloyed with copper, just like the British pre-decimal Crown coins, and some are 99.9% silver. The Sterling versions are overall heavier though, so they also contain exactly one ounce of pure silver or 1oz Absolute Silver Weight (1.000 oz ASW); they are called "Crowns" in the "Crown and Tickey" coin sets in which some of them are issued, and are officially denominated as two, five or ten Rands.
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." |
| Obverse | |
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The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of South Africa at centre, dividing the date 2017, with the legend SOUTH AFRICA written around in all the eleven official languages of the country:
Ningizimu Afrika in Zulu,
Aforika Borwa in Tswana,
Afurika Tshipembe in Venda,
Afrika Borwa in Northern Sotho and Southern Sotho,
South Africa in English,
iSewula Afrika in Southern Ndebele,
uMzantsi Afrika in Xhosa,
iNingizimu Afrika in Swazi,
Suid-Afrika in Afrikaans, and
Afrika-Dzonga in Tsonga.
The designer's initials ALS (for Arthur L. Sutherland) are to the left of the Coat of Arms. |
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