Launched
2013
Planned Duration
12 years (2013-2024)
Core Metals
Gold (.9999), Silver (.925), Bronze
Denominations
R25 (1 oz gold), R5 (1/10 oz gold), R1 (1 oz silver)
Mint
South African Mint, Centurion
Special Partners
Nelson Mandela Foundation
Protea "Life of a Legend: Nelson Mandela" Series (2013–2024)
An ambitious 12‑year chronological journey through the life of Nelson Mandela, from childhood to legacy. Launched in 2013, the year of Mandela's passing, this series follows his life in stages, each depicted on a 1 oz sterling silver R5 coin with companion gold issues.
Series Overview
- 12‑year programme (2013-2024)
- Three coins issued each April
- Gold (R25, R5) & Silver (R1) denominations
- Features Mandela's own quotations
- Obverse: Mandela in Madiba shirt with King Protea garland
Series Overview
Launched in 2013, the Protea "Life of a Legend: Nelson Mandela" coin series is dedicated to the life and times of former president Nelson Mandela. The SA Mint website explains: "The Life of a Legend: Nelson Mandela shall run for 12 years with three coins released in April each year - each set of coins shall showcase notable aspects of Mandela's life."
The first series released in 2013 portrayed Mandela's childhood in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape and his subsequent move to Qunu. Tumi Tsehlo, Managing Director of the SA Mint, stated at the 2014 launch: "The South African Mint Company is honoured to release the second Protea coin series on the first Mandela Day that he is not with us. Making it more special is that it is dedicated to education, which was so close to his heart."
The obverse of all coins features South Africa's national flower, the King Protea, in a half garland below Mandela in one of his trademark Madiba shirts, designed by artist L Guerra and die-engraver VL Chipa.
Annual Themes (2013-2024)
Based on available records and press releases, the annual themes were as follows. Note: The final years (2021-2024) are based on the 12-year schedule but specific design details for some years are not yet public.
| Year | Theme / Period | Design Highlights | Key Quotations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Childhood (Mvezo & Qunu) (1918–1930s) | Mandela as a child practising how to write "Nelson" on a slate board | "Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and education is a very important weapon to prepare children for their future roles as leaders of the community." |
| 2014 | Education (Fort Hare & Clarkesbury) (1930s–1940s) | R25: Young Mandela in double-breasted suit, University of Fort Hare, Clarkesbury gable. R5: Education focus. R1: Slate board with "Nelson". | R25: "Everywhere in the world it is accepted that students... have the right to freedom of thought." R5: "Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world." |
| 2015 | The Treason Trial (1956–1961) | Three coins dedicated to Mandela's "education and dedication to lifelong learning" with UNISA acknowledgement ("Unisaon" minted on coins). | Education-focused quotes as above |
| 2016 | The Long Walk to Freedom (1962–1963) | Details not available in search results | – |
| 2017 | Rivonia Trial & ANC (1963–1964) | 1 oz Gold: Young Mandela with Rivonia Trial statement and names of ten accused. 1/10 oz Gold: Mandela in kaross, quote from British Red Cross lecture. Silver: Congress of the People delegates. | "I have fought against white domination... for which I am prepared to die." "Evil ultimately lives in fear of and under threat from the uncompromising commitment to justice." |
| 2018 | Imprisonment & Release (Robben Island/Victor Verster) (1964–1990) | R1: Mandela looking through barred window of Robben Island cell; image from 1990 release. Fragmented R1 denomination, typewriter font, prison texture. | "Prison is itself a tremendous education in the need for patience and perseverance. It is above all, a test of one's commitment." |
| 2019 | Presidency & Legacy (1994–2013) | R25: Silhouetted Mandela with Union Buildings. R5: Elderly Madiba. R1: Mandela holding grandchild, paisley pattern shirt design. | R25: "Ours is a vision of a just and democratic South Africa..." R5: "It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it." R1: "The spirit of Ubuntu - that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other human beings." |
| 2020 | Release from Prison (1990) (Note: Possibly overlapping themes – exact official theme for 2020 not in search results) | Details not available | – |
| 2021 | Negotiations and Democracy (1991–1993) | Details not available | – |
| 2022 | Presidency (1994–1999) | Details not available | – |
| 2023-2024 | Retirement and Legacy (1999–2013) | Final release with split date "1918 – 2013" | – |
Special Editions & Commemoratives
2017 Rivonia Trial Special 3-Coin Launch Set
This special edition set focused on Mandela's contribution to the African National Congress and the resistance movement. It contained 1.1 oz of .9999 fine Gold and 1 oz of Silver, with a mintage of only 200 sets. Contents:
- Privy mark 1 oz Gold coin with young Mandela and Rivonia Trial statement
- Privy mark 1/10 oz Gold coin with Mandela in kaross and British Red Cross lecture quote
- Special medallion with the faces of the eight men who received life sentences for sabotage during the Rivonia Trial (1963-1964)
- Silver coin featuring delegates at the Congress of the People
2018 Centenary Sets
To mark 100 years since Mandela's birth (18 July 1918), the SA Mint issued several special sets:
- 1 oz Gold Centenary Coin – Mintage of only 300 pieces worldwide. Features Mandela in his later years, post-presidency. "Sold Out at the Mint!"
- 4-Coin Centenary Set – Mintage of 200 sets worldwide. Contains 1 oz gold, 1 oz silver, 24.45g bronze, and 9.5g bimetallic R5 circulation coin in beautiful box.
- 50 Rand Aluminium-Bronze Coin (KM#686) – BU mintage of 50,700 pieces. Features Nelson Mandela Centenary with dates 18 JULY 1918 – 18 JULY 2018.
Technical Specifications
| Denomination | Metal / Purity | Weight | Diameter | Silver/Gold Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R25 | Gold .9999 | 1 oz (31.1g) | 32.69mm | 1 oz gold |
| R5 | Gold .9999 | 1/10 oz (2.83g) | – | 1/10 oz gold |
| R1 | Silver .925 | 1 oz (31.1g) | 38.7mm | 1 oz silver |
| R5 (Circulation) | Bi-metallic | 9.5g | – | – |
| 50 Rand (2018) | Aluminium-Bronze | 24.45g | 38.725mm | – |
Finish: Proof (for most collectable versions); Brilliant Uncirculated for some issues.
Obverse designer: Arthur L. Sutherland (ALS) (coat of arms) with artist L Guerra and die-engraver VL Chipa (Mandela portrait with protea garland).
Reverse designers: Various, including Paul Botes (PB).
Edge: Milled/Reeded.
Collector Value Guide
Values vary significantly based on year, format, mintage, and condition. Low-mintage special editions command substantial premiums.
| Item | Mintage | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 1 oz Gold Centenary | 300 | $3,000–5,000+ (depending on grade) |
| 2017 Rivonia Trial 3-Coin Set | 200 sets | $4,000–6,000+ |
| 2018 4-Coin Centenary Set | 200 sets | $2,500–4,000 |
| Individual R1 Silver (various years) | ~3,000 | $100–250 depending on year |
| Complete 11-coin R1 Silver set | N/A | $1,500–3,000 |
| 2018 50 Rand Aluminium-Bronze | 50,700 | $19–25 (avg. $19.34) |
Investment Outlook
Glenn Schoeman, a representative from Gold Reef City Mint and SANGS, commented on the series in 2015: "From 1994 there have been coins with Nelson Mandela's image on, and a lot of them have been worthwhile, most definitely, especially the earlier gold coins. However, right now the market is so depressed people say to me as an investment right now it is doubtful. The market is in such dire straits at the moment." He noted that while the market was depressed at that time, long-term investment potential remained strong.
Sources
- South African Mint. "Life of a Legend: Nelson Mandela" series brochures (2013-2019).
- JustMoney. "New commemorative Nelson Mandela coins focus on education" (April 2015).
- APMEX. "2018 South Africa 1 oz Gold (Mandela - Centenary)".
- APMEX. "2018 South Africa 4-Coin Mandela Centenary Set".
- APMEX. "2017 South Africa Protea Mandela: Life of a Legend Launch Set".
- Polity.org.za. "New Nelson Mandela collectable coin series unveiled" (July 2019).
- Daily Nation. "South African Mint unveils new Mandela coins" (July 2020).
- Gold10.ru. "Life of a Legend – Nelson Mandela" (2018 theme description).
- MandelaDay.com. "SA Mint unveils next set of Nelson Mandela coins" (July 2014).
- uCoin.net. "50 rand 2018 - Nelson Mandela, South Africa".