Crown and Tickey Inventions Series (2016–present)

Series Overview

Each year features a matched pair: a R2 crown (38.7mm, 33.6g) and a 2½c tickey (16.3mm, 1.4g), both struck in sterling silver (.925) with exactly one ounce of pure silver (1.000 oz ASW) in the crown . The tickey is ingeniously designed to fit into a recess on the crown, recreating the invention – whether a heart transplant, a CT scan, or a lunar landing .

The obverse of both coins, designed by Arthur L. Sutherland (initials ALS), features the South African coat of arms and the words "South Africa" in all eleven official languages arranged in a pentagonal pattern . The reverse of each crown coin includes the metal content inscription "1oz Ag925 Cu75" and the initials of the die-sinker, Paul Botes (PB) .

The South African Mint's managing director Tumi Tsehlo described the series at its launch: "The two coins are aimed to celebrate a different South African invention which comes with an extraordinary history and heritage. Under the new theme of South African inventions, the beautifully crafted R2 Crown and 2½c Tickey will offer coin collectors a lifetime of appreciation" .

2016 – The Dolos (Launch Issue)

The first invention to be featured was the dolosse, developed in East London in 1963 by harbour engineer Eric Mowbray Merrifield and his draughtsman Aubrey Kruger to protect harbour walls from wave damage . Their unique interlocking design ensures they form a porous wall that dissipates wave energy; roughly 10,000 dolosse are required to preserve a kilometre of coastline, with individual dolosse weighing up to 30 tons .

Special feature: The set was packaged with an exclusive miniature sterling silver mould in the shape of a dolos .

2017 – First Human Heart Transplant (50th Anniversary)

This issue commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first successful human-to-human heart transplant, performed by a team of surgeons led by Dr Christiaan Neethling Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town on 3 December 1967 .

Mintage: R2 crown: 1,000 single coins; 2-coin set: 700 sets .
Obverse die sinker: Arthur L. Sutherland (ALS) .
Reverse artist: CVB Jeppe & RC Stone .

2018 – Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner

This issue honours computed tomography (CT), invented by South African‑American physicist Allan McLeod Cormack, who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for its development . CT scanning uses computer-processed X‑ray measurements to create cross-sectional images of the body .

Mintage: 365 individually carded crowns (from limit of 1,000); 137 complete Crown & Tickey sets (limited to 700) .
Reverse designer: Paul Botes (PB) .

2019 – Pratley Putty (Polymer Putty) & 50th Moon Landing

This issue celebrates Pratley Putty, invented by South African George Montague (Monty) Pratley in the 1960s as an insulator and adhesive . It is the only South African product to have gone to the moon – used on the NASA Ranger spacecraft to help lay the groundwork for the Apollo XI moon landing . The 2019 issue also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing (1969–2019) .

Special feature: The premium set includes a stunning sterling silver model of the Ranger 9 spacecraft in a walnut wood box .
Mintage: 306 Crown & Tickey sets (limited to 700); 374 Krugerrand & Crown launch sets (limited to 500) .
Reverse artists: CVB Jeppe and RC Stone; engraver: Paul Botes .

2020 – Retinal Cryoprobe (Dr. Selig Percy Amoils)

This issue features the retinal cryoprobe, developed by South African ophthalmologist and inventor Dr. Selig Percy Amoils at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto in 1965 . The cryoprobe is a pen-like instrument used in cryosurgery to treat cataracts – the world's leading cause of blindness . Notably, President Nelson Mandela had his cataract removed by Dr. Amoils just days after his 1994 inauguration .

Mintage: R2 crown: 1,000; 2½c tickey: 1,000 .
Special sets: A combination set with a sterling silver eye sculpture was offered . A Krugerrand & Crown launch set (500 pieces) paired the R2 crown with a 1 oz fine‑silver Krugerrand bearing a human eye privy mark .

Technical Specifications

Finish: Proof.
Edge: Milled.
Obverse design: Coat of Arms of South Africa, year, and "South Africa" in all 11 official languages (designer ALS) .
Orientation: Medal alignment (axis 0) .

Collecting the Crown & Tickey Series

• Complete sets: The two‑coin sets in original packaging with certificates are the most collectible format.
• Mintage rarity: Limited editions of 700–1,000 sets per year ensure scarcity .
• Premium sets: Years with additional silver models (2016 dolos, 2019 Ranger 9, 2020 eye sculpture) command higher prices.
• Krugerrand combination sets: Introduced in 2020, these pair the crown with a privy-marked silver Krugerrand (mintage 500) .

Value Guide (Indicative)

• 2016 Dolos set (with silver model) – $300–500
• 2017 Heart Transplant set – $250–400
• 2018 CT Scanner set – $250–400
• 2019 Pratley Putty set (with Ranger 9 model) – $400–600
• 2020 Retinal Cryoprobe set (with eye sculpture) – $500–800
• 2020 Krugerrand & Crown launch set – $800–1,200

Sources

• The South African Mint. "Innovations" (Feb 2017 newsletter)
• The South African Mint. "April 2017 Customer newsletter"
• The South African Mint. "2020 Range – Crown and Tickey: Retinal Cryoprobe"
• Online Coin Club. "Silver Crown 2018 Computed Tomography"
• Online Coin Club. "Silver Crown 2019 Polymer Putty"
• APMEX. "2019 S. Africa 2‑Pc Silver Inventions: Polymer Putty"
• CoinWeek. "South African Mint Continues Inventions Series With 2020 Retinal Cryoprobe Coins"
• The Citizen (Fourways Review). "Something new for coin collectors" (June 2016)
• The South African Mint. "2017 Collectable Coins Brochure"

Revision History