The Protea coin series commemorates various aspects and important events in the history of South Africa. The 2008 Protea Coin Series will feature Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi – better known as Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). Mahatma Gandhi lived in South Africa from April 1893 to July 1914. Although not South African by birth, he said “I was born in India, but I was made in South Africa”. He said these words because he first started with his campaign of “Ahimsa” (non-violence) and “Satyagraha” (way of truth) while he was campaigning for freedom in South Africa.

Gandhi influenced both nationalist and internationalist movements and brought the cause of India's independence from British colonial rule to world attention. Gandhi's principle of satyagraha (from Sanskrit satya: truth, and graha: grasp/hold), has also inspired other democratic activists, including Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon and the 14th Dalai Lama. The title of “Mahatma” (Sanskrit term of reverence “mahatman” meaning “one of great soul”) was accorded on Gandhi in 1915 by his admirer Rabindranath Tagore (the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature). It was given in response to Gandhi conferring the title of "Gurudev" (great teacher) upon Tagore.

Ultimately, his passion for unity and equality among Hindus, peace and justice in a free India and amity among Hindus and Muslims in India made Gandhi a target and he was shot and killed on 30th January 1948 by a Hindu extremist. It is ironic that this great pacifist, the first to employ non-violence in a political context, was never awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! The 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chief Albert Luthuli from South Africa, applied Gandhi's principles while fighting apartheid in South Africa. The profound lessons Gandhi learnt in South Africa, spurned him to stand-up and without violence fight for his beloved India, earning him the title of “Father of the Nation”.

Each single Protea coin is packaged in a blue leatherette box. Each coin issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coin made by the South African Mint Company.

Certificate of Authenticity
Each coin and coin set issued by the South African Mint Company has a Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate describes the coin’s specifications, the year, the limited edition as well as a short description of the product. It also depicts the signature of the South African Mint’s Managing Director, Mr Andile Mvinjelwa. To prevent the duplication of a South African Mint product, the certificates are re-designed each year to include the coin design and each certificate is individually numbered according to the limited edition of the coin or set. As another security measure, the South African Mint’s logo, which is printed in transparent ink and only visible under ultra-violet light, features as part of the layout.

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