The 2017 edition of the Protea coin series focuses on Mr Mandela’s contribution to the African National Congress (ANC) and the resistance movement in South Africa, and on his life sentencing at the Rivonia Trial.
The privy mark pure-gold R25 (1oz) coin commemorates the now infamous Rivonia Trial (1963–1964) by bearing the names of ten of the eleven accused, along with a portrait of Nelson Mandela. A quote by Nelson Mandela, recorded during the trial, completes the design:
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
The privy mark pure-gold R5 (1/10oz) coin is based on a photograph of Mandela wearing traditional attire at his 15 October 1962 court appearance on charges relating to leaving the country without a passport. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment on 7 November in the same year.
His quote: “Evil ultimately lives in fear of and under threat from the uncompromising commitment to justice, fairness and human compassion” (British Red Cross humanity lecture, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, England, 10 July 2003) completes the design.
Referred to as ‘the trial that changed South Africa’, the special medallion commemorates the significance of the Rivonia Trial (1963–1964). It features the eight members of the African National Congress’ armed wing, Umkhonto weSizwe, were arrested, charged with treason and sentenced to life imprisonment.
These men are: Ahmed Kathrada, Andrew Mlangeni, Denis Goldberg, Elias Motsoaledi, Govan Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, Raymond Mahlaba and Walter Sisulu.
The 2017 Protea range offers two launch sets: the 2017 Natura Launch Coin and the 2017 Natura Launch set, both consisting of a pure-gold 1oz coin featuring a conceptual line drawing of the 1947 5-shilling coin, as well as Coert Steynberg’s signature as a privy mark below the springbok.
The reverse on the pure-gold Natura 1 oz mint mark coin features a conceptual line drawing of the 1947 5-shilling coin, together with the words ‘Natura’, ‘Coert Steynberg’, the year ’1947-2017’, the denomination and hallmark. Coert Steynberg’s signature is featured as a privy mark below the springbok on this launch coin.
The obverse depicts a detail of an illustration together with the words ‘South Africa’ and the year ‘2017’.
The coin also comes with two framed copies of the original drawings with every purchase.
This launch set consists of two coins: a 2017-dated Natura 1 oz coin featuring Coert Steynberg’s signature as a privy mark below the springbok, with the obverse depicting a detail of an illustration together with the words ‘South Africa’ and the year ‘2017’,
And a 2017-dated Krugerrand 1 oz coin which bears a ‘50th anniversary’ privy mark to commemorate the enduring value of this internationally recognised brand. The obverse design of the Krugerrand features President Paul Kruger.
This set also comes with two framed copies of the original drawings with every purchase.
