New Madiba R5 Coin

8 July 2008 No Comment

Nelson Mandela Holding the new R5 Coin

In commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, a brand new R5 coin has been produced.

The bi-metal coin, featuring Madiba wearing one of his iconic shirts, has been minted and copied 5 million times in preparation for its circulation.

Considered to be legal tender, the coin was launched on Monday by the South African Reserve Bank, the SA Mint Company, the Ministry of Finance and the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF), Madiba himself was there to celebrate.

Also present were Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and SA Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni, who both made good use of the manual coin press machine that was present.

Manuel said of the coin, “It’s a celebration of your birthday, but also a celebration of South Africans wanting to share your love, experience and leadership,”

“We want to see it in circulation,” Manuel added.

Madiba even had a go at producing his own coin on the manual press, after which he remarked with a smile, “Well, I’m a bit richer today!”

The coin is expected to go into circulation on July 18th.

Nelson Mandela New R5 Coins - Front and Back