| Coin | Silver Ounce 2019 Constitutional Democracy |
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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. Initially they were made of Sterling silver (92.5%), but this later changed to 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).
This coin was issued as part of the SA25 coin series celebrating 25 years of democracy in South Africa.
The South African Mint says about the series:
"2019 marks a monumental 25 years of Constitutional Democracy for the nation of South Africa. To reinvigorate national pride, the South African Mint released the SA25 themed coin range under the series Celebrating South Africa. South Africans were consulted on their interpretation of democracy and freedom and shared the symbols that they associate with these values. This commemorative coin range was then developed, giving everyone an opportunity to reflect on our diverse identity as a country.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is the supreme law, with the Bill of Rights being the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in the country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. After deliberating with South Africans from all walks of life and from all backgrounds who were born during this time, it was decided that this commemorative coin range would portray some of these rights as contained in the Bill of Rights." |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of South Africa at centre, dividing the date 2020, 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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| Reverse | |
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Characterised by a number of people standing in single file, as if advancing toward a common purpose and goal, the design featured on this coin represents the great strides made in the South Afircan nation in 25 years of constitutional democracy including, inter alia, race and gender transformation objectives. With its constitution today, all citizens are equal before the law and no one can be discriminated against on the basis of race, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, religion or any other grounds.
Artist Lady Skollie’s design portrays the famous images of voting polling stations in 1994 when the nation attained its independence.
Around above the design, the inscription 25 YEARS OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY. Horizontally to the right, the face value and denomination R50 (Fifty Rand).
The typography of the inscription, designed by G Walker, unifies the reverses of all coins of the series.
Around left, the metal content and composition of the coin: 1 oz Ag 925 Cu75 (one ounce 92.5%, or sterling, silver alloyed with 7.5% copper).
The initials of the die-sinker, CM, are in the lower left field. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
25 YEARS OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY R50 1 oz Ag 925 Cu75 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | 464 individual coins (from limit of 10,000; Part-No SIL-PC-R2SA2519, issue price: R 995), plus coins in sets.
About the coin creators, the South African Mint says the following:
"Durban-based artist and reverse typographer, Garth Walker, whose interest lies in asking “what makes me African - and what does that look like?” got his start as a graphic designer in the mid-1970s. Today, he is the proud founder of two established design studios and his work is represented in esteemed collections, galleries, universities and libraries across the globe - from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to The Smithsonian. In 1995 he self-published his experimental studio magazine iJusi, and he continues to publish work in numerous books and magazines today. Walker is a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale, British D&AD and a Life Member of The Type Directors Club (NY)."
"Being of San descent, Lady Skollie’s art education began when her mother enrolled her in the Frank Joubert Art Centre. Although classically trained, Skollie quickly deviated from the traditional art scene and took to promoting her work via social media.
Presently, Lady Skollie uses ink, watercolour and crayon to defy the taboo and talk openly about issues of sex, pleasure, consent, human connection, violence, and abuse. As both an artist and an activist, her work carries the unmistakable tenors of both the bold and vulnerable. Her aim in her work is to express the joy and darkness of the erotic and the duality of human experience, interwoven with her identity politics." |
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| Included in Set |
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2019 Celebrating South Africa 25 Years Constitution Democracy 9 Coin Set, mintage 49, limited to 225
9 coins: R500 Gold Ounce, R50 Silver Ounce, R50 Bronze Ounce, R5 Constitutional Democracy, R2 Children’s Rights, R2 Right to Education, R2 Environmental Rights, R2 Freedom of Movement and Residence, R2 Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion
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2019 Celebrating South Africa 25 Years Constitution Democracy 8 Coin Set, mintage 838, limited to 2,250
8 coins: R50 Silver Ounce, R50 Bronze Ounce, R5 Constitutional Democracy, R2 Children’s Rights, R2 Right to Education, R2 Environmental Rights, R2 Freedom of Movement and Residence, R2 Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion
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