RSA (Post-1994): Inauguration of President Nelson R. Mandela

Form:

Circular

By:

Arthur Sutherland (Obv) and Susan Erasmus (Rev) / SA Mint

Date:

1994

Ref:

Laidlaw: 0394;

Variations:

Size	Metal	Mass	Value
50.4 mm	Silver (0.999)	156 gm	$230
74.6 mm	Darkened & Lacquered Bronze	185 gm	$155

Edge:

Silver medal upright reeded. Thickness 7.5 mm - 9.1 mm.
Bronze medal plain. Thickness 4.3 mm – 8.0 mm

Obverse:

Bareheaded bust in high relief of Mandela in jacket and tie, half right. Legend on a raised band in incused letter on the right: “NELSON R. MANDELA”. Silver medal signed: "ALS" at the foot.

Reverse:

The Union Buildings in Pretoria. Across above: “10 MAY 1994” and below: “UNITY IN / SOUTH AFRICA” and below that a half-wreath of lilies. Legend above: “PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION”. In an arc round the rim at the foot: “STRUCK BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINT”. Silver medal hallmarked: "(springbok head) S999 W (for 1996) SAM".

Notes:

The silver medal comes encapsulated inside a large book-like black fitted case. The inside in lined with dark blue velvet and white silk imprinted with the emblems of the South African Mint and the First National Bank. There is a certificate of authenticity and other information material.

The bronze medal comes inside a black oblong cardboard box with an impression of the medal on the top. The medal is protected inside molded plastic sheets contained within a presentation folder. There is a certificate of authenticity and other information material.

The medal commemorates the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela who was the first black president of South Africa and assumed office after the 1994 general elections in which all South African could cast their vote.

The medal was sponsored by the First National Bank and made at the SA Mint for Education Africa who undertook the distribution. Although the medal is dated for inauguration event, it was produced two years later.