Two Rand 2019 Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

Within a recessed square with rounded corners, the obverse of the coin displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre, as adopted on Freedom Day 27 April 2000.

The Coat of Arms is a series of elements organised in distinct symmetric egg-like or oval shapes placed on top of one another. The completed structure combines the lower and higher oval shape in a symbol of infinity. The path that connects the lower edge of the scroll, through the lines of the tusks, with the horizon above and the sun rising at the top, forms the shape of the cosmic egg from which the secretary bird rises. In the symbolic sense, this is the implied rebirth of the spirit of the great and heroic nation of South Africa.

The motto in the semicircle around below, ǃKE E꞉ ǀXARRA ǁKE, is written in the Khoisan language of the ǀXam people and translates literally to "diverse people unite".

Below the Coat of Arms, the initials of the engraver: ALS (for Arthur Sutherland).

Above the Coat of Arms, the date 2019. Vertically to left and right, the legend "South Africa" written in two of the eleven official languages of the country. There is a system of rotation whereby the inscriptions alternate each year.

The languages in 2019 are English and Tsonga, so the inscriptions read South Africa and Afrika-Dzonga respectively.

The illustration on the reverse of this circulating commemorative R2 coin represents Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion, symbolised by four raised hands making different gestures.

Artist Peter Mammes who designed this coin said he wanted to depict people, ethnicity, and religion without being specific. The hands on their own do not convey gender, colour, age or any information that might exclude any group amongst the population of South Africa so they convey a sense of unity, freedom, and virtue-like swearing an oath in court or praying.

To the right, on two lines, the value and denomination 2 RAND. Around below, the inscription freedom of religion, belief and opinion 1994 · 2019. The typography of the inscription, designed by Garth Walker, unifies the reverses of all coins of the series.

At the base of the left-most hand, in small letters the die-sinker's initials PB (for Paul Botes).

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)."

"Johannesburg resident, Peter Mammes began drawing as a young child and matriculated in 2004 from the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein. As a young artist, he always expressed an interest in the macabre and absurd. Mammes may work for several months at a time in different locations in order to assimilate the culture and surroundings of a particular society - first in Moscow, Russia and more recently in Varanasi, India.

He currently uses his artwork to pose questions about the construction of the narratives of power and authority. His inspiration focuses on the intersection of individual and national identity and the suppression and celebration of the ugly and unacceptable."

The SA25 Series of commemorative coins includes:
- Gold Ounce (R500) - Constitutional Court
- Silver Ounce (R50) - Constitutional Democracy
- Bronze Ounce (R50) - Constitutional Democracy
- Circulating Commemorative R5 - Constitutional Democracy
- Circulating Commemorative R2 - Children’s Rights
- Circulating Commemorative R2 - Right to Education
- Circulating Commemorative R2 - Environmental Rights
- Circulating Commemorative R2 - Freedom of Movement and Residence
- Circulating Commemorative R2 - Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion