SA Mint to release new R2 circulation coin
The SA25 coin series, themed Celebrating South Africa, features five commemorative R2 circulation coins, a commemorative R5 coin and three collectable coins in gold, silver and bronze alloy.
The South African Mint has released a new R2 commemorative circulation coin themed Freedom of Movement and Residence as part of its new coin programme commemorating 25 years of South Africa’s democracy.
Designed by artist Rasty Knayles, regarded as a pioneer of the local graffiti movement, the coin is symbolised by a plane, a bird holding a key and a minibus taxi on the reverse (tails) of the coin.
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Knayles likens freedom to a bird, a complete embodiment of being free to move around and reside anywhere in the country.
The weaver bird is a reflection of an average South African – hardworking, cheerful and respectful to fellow beings.
The key symbolises a passport, a prized document which guarantees any person holding it free access across borders and to be able to return home.
The minibus taxi used by millions of South Africans and the passenger plane highlight economic activity as well as movement.
The obverse (heads) features the national coat of arms with the date of issue (2019) and “South Africa” written in English and Afrika-Dzonga in Xitsonga.
All the SA25 commemorative coins issued by the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) and the South African Mint, including the collectable range, use a common typeface created by Garth Walker for the Constitutional Court.
The typography as reflected on the commemorative coinage was created in 2003/04 as a unique wayfinding system font for the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
Walker is credited for the layout of the R5 coins using the typeface.
At the unveiling, Tumi Tsehlo, the South African Mint managing director, said: “Our struggle for democracy has hardly any parallel, and I can say the same about our constitution.
“It is regarded as one of the most progressive in the world, guaranteeing rights to all residents.
“In issuing circulation coins in honour of our constitutional democracy, the South African Mint is helping to preserve the memory of all South Africans who collectively fought for freedom for all, even at great personal cost,” added Tsehlo.
The commemorative coins are introduced in a phased manner, with the coin themed Freedom of Movement and Residence being the fourth in the series – which will be followed by the final R2 featuring Freedom of Religion, Beliefs and Opinion in August, with the new R5 coin.
A special collector’s folder has been created for coin enthusiasts and can be collected, at no cost, from the South African Mint’s retail store in Centurion, as well as the various other outlets mentioned on the SA25 website.
South Africans have been encouraged to find, collect and keep these special SA25 circulation coins released over the past few months, and they will soon be able to add this coin to their collection.
The SARB would like to reiterate that the new commemorative circulation coins, like all other circulation coins, are normal circulation coins that are only worth their face value of R2.
The SARB issues commemorative circulation coins as part of its currency production function.
The South African Mint also launched special edition collector’s sets which include all the circulations coins, the R50 silver and the R50 bronze alloy collectable coins.
The sets and collectable coins can also be purchased as individual coins from the South African Mint’s retail outlets, listed on the SA25 website, www.sa25.co.za
