By Annisa Essack

23/09/2019

A new R2 coin is in the pipeline for South Africa as the South African Mint has launched a public design competition that will form part of the Mint’s celebration of 25 years of democracy. The competition will be issued in 2020 as part of South Africa’s legal tender currency.

According to the SA Mint, the design must be based on one of the 22 constitutional rights not currently featured on South Africa’s new R2 coins and that the obverse of the coin will feature the national coat of arms.

With strict design restrictions, the Mint has excluded characteristics such as sex and nudity, violence and gore as well as profanity and says that this is an area that must be managed with sensitivity.

The South African Reserve Bank and the Mint, in June, launched a number of new circulation coins to celebrate 25 years of South African Constitutional democracy.

A citizens survey done in South Africa highlighted some of the rights that resonated most with citizens and the R2 coin would aim to highlight these. Children’s rights, the right to education and environmental rights are some. The R5 coin depicts the first national election of 1994.

SARB issues commemorative circulation coins from time to time as part of its currency production function, usually to commemorate a person or an event that has had a significant impact on society. These commemorative coins are minted in large quantities and made available to the public at face value.

To claim your place in history and for more information about the competition which closes on 31 October 2019, go to https://www.sa25.co.za/competition.html