Silver Rand 2013 Nelson Mandela - Childhood, 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 One Rand coin was initially a gold bullion coin equal to the earlier gold half pound, which was itself equal to a British half sovereign (minted, among others, at the Pretoria branch of the Royal Mint - now the South African Mint, until 1932).

Silver One Rand coins started to be issued for regular circulation in 1965 - including some 0.800 silver commemoratives. This was then changed to nickel in 1977, with silver only used for commemorative and collector issues. The commemorative coinage was continued by the sterling silver Protea One Rand series. These coins are made of Sterling Silver (92.5% silver alloyed with 7.5% copper) and are slightly smaller than a half ounce (0.4461 oz ASW, or Absolute Silver Weight).

The coins of the range celebrate various aspects of South Africa's history, culture and nature.

This coin was issued as part of the 2013 Protea - Life of a Legend (Childhood) coin series, which is the first in a series of commemorative coins, "The life of a legend: Nelson Mandela". It portrays a different chapter of Mr Mandela’s life annually - his childhood in 2013, his education years in 2014, his arrival and early years in Johannesburg in 2015 etc.

Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95 on 5 December 2013.