South African Mint Unveils Groundbreaking High-Relief “African Range” Collection.

The South African Mint, a wholly owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), proudly announces the launch of its first-ever high-relief coin range, The African Range.

A celebration of world-class craftsmanship, The African Range redefines the boundaries of numismatics, transforming the coin from a traditional medium into a sculptural work of enduring cultural and artistic significance.

“This is one of the most exciting products we have introduced in recent decades,” says Richard Stone, Product Development Manager at the South African Mint. “Our ambition was to create a flagship collection that reflects Africa’s natural beauty, craftsmanship, and artistic excellence on a global stage.”

Unlike conventional coin design processes, which typically begin with a flat drawing before progressing through modelling, scanning, and engraving, The African Range represents a bold departure. These designs were modelled after existing sculptures by internationally acclaimed South African artist Dylan Lewis, renowned for his evocative wildlife works exhibited in cities such as London, Paris, and New York.

Translating these sculptures into high-relief coin form demanded months of meticulous refinement. Every angle and detail was carefully considered to determine the ideal composition before modeling and engraving could begin. “It was a profound responsibility to reinterpret an existing sculpture into a new medium,” Stone explains, underscoring the technical and artistic complexity of the process.

The debut release in The African Range focuses on the cheetah – an icon of speed, precision, and instinct. The collection unfolds as a five-coin narrative, capturing the stages of the hunt: from watchful surveying and stealthy stalking to the explosive chase, decisive capture, and final repose.