2008 Protea

A pure gold and silver commemorative coin set made by the South African Mint Company was launched in Durban on 21 August 2008 to honour Mahatma Gandhi who was quoted as saying "I was not born in South Africa, but I was made there!"  The launch took place in association with the Consolate General of India, the Ethekwini Municipality, The Durban Art Gallery and the Gandhi Development Trust.  The guest of honour was Ms. Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

This very special limited edition of only 600 sets worldwide contains a 1 oz gold coin with a mintmark, a 1/10th oz gold coin with a mintmark and a pure silver 1 oz silver coin.  The mintmarks on the coins are a three-legged pot and the word "Satyagraha'".  It is exactly 100 years ago that Mahatma Gandhi, his family and his fellow Satyagrahas bravely and with determination burnt their abhorred Registration papers (passes) in a large three-legged pot on 16 August 1908 on the grounds of the Hamidia Mosque in Johannesburg.  These registration permits had to be carried by every Asian in South Africa over the age of 8 years and if they failed to produce their papers when stopped by the police they were liable to be deported or imprisoned.

When Mahatma Gandhi arrived in South Africa in the late 1800's as a young lawyer, he became more and more involved in the politics as he witnessed the implementation and enforcement of humiliating laws by the colonial government in Pretoria.  However, Gandhi sincerely believed that those in leadership would experience a change in heart inspired by the suffering experienced by passive resistance campaigns to these laws rather than retaliating with violence.  "I coined the word "satyagraha" in South Africa in order to give a name to the power with which the Indians there fought for a full 8 years (1906-1914)."   The invaluable experiences and lessons he learnt during this period in South Africa were to stay with him for the rest of his life and his satyagraha philosophy which he put into practise later in India, changed that country's colonial history forever!

The South African Mint's Protea Coin Series, has been used to reflect important political, cultural and historical South African issues.  Since 2005, it has featured the South African Nobel Peace Prize Winners, starting with Chief Luthuli, who himself believed in Gandhi's satyagraha's philosophy. The 2006 Protea series depicted Archbishop Tutu and last year, Mr Nelson Mandela and Mr FW de Klerk were featured. Sadly Mahatma Gandhi was never awarded the Nobel Peace Prize but the South African Mint felt that this true leader of passive resistance against discriminatory and humiliating political acts deserved a place of honour in South African history.  The Mint is proud to capture the legacy of this great man in precious metal for future generations!

Background and Technical Information on the Protea Coins

Background

This coin series has been used to celebrate a variety of themes which makes it a very interesting series beginning as far back as 1986 and 1988.

From 1991, the Protea series began in earnest with a new theme each year to commemorative an historical event or South African:

Themes

The Coins

From 1997, the Protea coin series was made in 24 carat gold and consists of 3 coins which can be sold in a set or as single coins:   1 oz, 1/10th oz and R1 sterling silver (1 oz).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Depicted on the Common Obverse (front)

The words "South Africa", "Suid Afrika", the current year's date and South Africa's national flower, the King Protea.

Depicted on the Reverse (back)

Each coin reflects a different aspect of the current year's theme.

Specifications of the Protea Coins

The Protea legal tender coins are issued as limited edition singles or in sets in proof quality.  The R1 silver coin is also available as an uncirculated coin.