Ten Years of Democracy in South Africa (1994 – 2004)

They came from far and wide to keep the most important date of their lives. From 26 to 28 April 1994, South Africa came to a halt as the entire nation flocked to the polling stations to determine their country's future. In the first South African democratic election held in 1994, more than 19 million citizens marked their ballot papers with a cross - a first time for almost 16 million people!

On Tuesday, 10 May 1994, the eyes of more than 2 000 million television viewers across the world were riveted on Pretoria when President Nelson R Mandela took his Oath of Office at the Union Buildings. The sun rose and set over a country in Africa where the impossible had become a reality. A former political prisoner became president, while South Africans from opposing political camps together formed the Government of National Unity.

The 2004 Protea Series celebrates South Africa's fine achievement. The R25 (1oz) 24 carat gold coin depicts former President Nelson R Mandela with the Union Buildings in the background. The R5 (1/10 oz) 24 carat gold coin features the new South African flag with the pre-amble of the new South African Constitution in miniature script forming the stripes of the flag. The sterling silver R1 coin consists of a collage of South Africa's national symbols. Together, these three coins depict all the symbols of the most remarkable event in the history of South Africa.

On the obverse of the three coins, South Africa’s national flower the King Protea (Protea cynaroides) is featured together with the words “South Africa” and the year “2004”.

ARTIST  
Natanya van Niekerk – Marketing Manager and chief artist at the South African Mint has designed the 2004 Protea series.

ENGRAVERS  
The obverse design for the three coins was engraved by the South African Mint’s former chief die-engraver, AL Sutherland. N van Niekerk(R50), MJ Scheepers(R25) and Aldrid Minnie(R1) engraved the reverse for the 2004 Protea coins.