5 Rand Order of Companions of O.R. Tambo

Reverse

Neck badge and walking stick

Script: Latin

Lettering:
ORDER OF COMPANIONS OF O.R.TAMBO
O.R.TAMBO 1917-2017
CM
SARB

Engraver: Cecil Moses

Edge

Security edge with the initials of the South Africa Reserve Bank and the face value repeated 10 times.

Lettering: SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5 SARB R5

Comment

Launch of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of Oliver Tambo’s birth
In commemorating the birth centenary of an icon of the liberation struggle, Oliver Reginald Tambo, the South African Mint Company (RF) Proprietary Limited (South African Mint), a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), is producing a R5 circulation coin and three other collectible coins.
The late OR Tambo, affectionately called Comrade OR, played a pivotal role in the country’s struggle against apartheid. His stewardship in the liberation movement galvanised world opinion against the apartheid regime.
The new coins bear the ‘Order of the Companions of OR Tambo’, which was instituted in 2002 to honour international heads of state and eminent people for their friendship to South Africa. The elements of the Order feature prominently on the new R5 circulation coin, resoundingly acknowledging his contribution to the struggle for equality and inclusiveness.
The R5 circulation coin is worth its face value. The SARB encourages the public not to hold on to the coins when they receive them as change, as commemorative coins are made to be appreciated by everyone.
The new R5 coin will enter into circulation on 01/10/2017 and the other collectable coins will be available from the South Africa Mint and authorised dealers from 27th October 2017, OR Tambo’s 100th anniversary.
The South African Mint will continue to immortalise the country’s iconic figures; it has chosen to depict the events in the history of South Africa that demolished the notion of apartheid and championed unity.
The elements of the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo feature prominently on the new R5 circulation coin, resoundingly acknowledging OR Tambo’s contribution to the struggle for equality and inclusiveness. The reverse of the coin features a neck badge and walking stick. The obverse depicts the national coat of arms, year of issue ‘2017’, and ‘South Africa’ written in both English and Xitsonga.

The symbols reflected on the coin include the Majola (mole snake) which, according to African mythology, embodies friendship, protection and active support. The walking stick signifies support and commitment; and the universal yin and yang symbol suggests a meeting point for diverse spiritual energies.
The commemorative coin forms part of the existing coins already in circulation. The coin is worth its face value (i.e. R5 in the case of the new R5 OR Tambo circulation coin).
news from South African Mint (http://www.samint.co.za/new-or-tambo-centenary-coins/ ; read on 6th of Jan. 2018)

Note to the Editors: Refer to the attachment for further details.

The coins continue the South African Mint coinage tradition of immortalising the country’s stalwarts. The times in the life of OR Tambo depicted by the coins are epochal events in the history of South Africa. A set with three coins to commemorate him was also issued.

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
2017	500	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Rand (Order of Companions of O.R. Tambo) 2017 coin.