Commemorative coins that mark the 100th anniversary of Oliver Tambo’s birth
In commemorating the birth centenary of Oliver Reginald Tambo, the South African Mint, a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank, produced a R5 circulation coin and a series of collectible coins under the theme ‘Freedom, Democracy and Culture’.
The coins bear the ‘Order of the Companions of O.R. 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.
O.R. Tambo, played a pivotal role in the country’s struggle against apartheid. His stewardship of the liberation movement galvanised world opinion against the apartheid.
The R5 coin, worth its face value, entered into circulation from 1 October 2017 and the other collectable coins were made available from the South African Mint and authorised dealers from 27 October 2017, O.R. Tambo’s 100th birthday.
The SARB encourages the public not to hold on to the circulation coins, when they receive them as change, as commemorative coins are made to be appreciated by everyone.
The coins continue the South African Mint Company (RF) Proprietary Limited (South African Mint) tradition of immortalising the country’s stalwarts. The life and times of O.R. Tambo depicted by the coins are epochal events in the history of South Africa.
