A Brief Overview Of Nelson Mandela Coins
Nelson Mandela coins have been minted in bronze, silver, and gold, some as commemorative medallions, some as legal tender. All have become favorites with collectors and investors. The story begins with his 1994 inauguration.
He spent 27 years in prison as an anti-apartheid activist. Released in 1990, he supported negotiations and was elected President in 1994, the first president elected after apartheid had been abolished. He has gained honor and respect the world over so it’s no surprise coins printed with his image have become popular with collectors.
The 1994 inauguration medallion was minted in 1994 by the South African Mint. It’s a startling beautiful 24K gold medallion. Only 1,742 were printed.
On a 2007 coin he is shown with former President Frederik Willem de Klerk honoring the two as joint recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. This medallion belonging to the Protea series, commemorates important events in the history of South Africa. Another printing of this medallion featuring only Mandela was designed and minted by the South African Coin Exchange.
The 2000 R5 legal tender circulation coin features a smiling President wearing his trademark Madiba shirt. The informal depiction captures the image the world knows best. The outer rim has the year and South Africa printed in two of the languages used in South Africa.
The most recent coin minted is the 2008 90th birthday commemorative. Five million were distributed as legal tender but they immediately disappeared from circulation. A smiling President is depicted wearing his informal Madiba shirt. Added security features are added detail to the shirt, a bi-metal process combining two alloys, with the portrait and the word “RAND” printed over both metal alloys, making this coin very difficult to counterfeit. “90 YEARS” is announced on the outer rim. The South African coat of arms is printed on the reverse side.
Minted in Norway, a commemorative medallion prized by collectors is the Robben Island 1/2 oz. Gold medallion. One side features a bust of Nelson Mandela, the other side shows Table Mountain overlooking the Robben Island Prison. The prison “ROBBEN ISLAND” and the years of his imprisonment, “1964-1982″, are printed on the coin.
Investors and numismatists often purchase Nelson Mandela coins in sets like the 2008 Commemorative R5 Set, Standard Set, Gold Prestige Set, the 90th Birthday Set in silver or platinum. Other noteworthy coins include the Robben Island Medallion, the Mandela/DeKlerk Protea 2007 series of legal tender coins, the 2 Rand Freedom coin.
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