R1 Nelson Mandela UNC Silver - 2007

Nelson Mandela - Silver Uncirculated Coin
The reverse of the Protea R1 sterling silver coin depicts Nelson Rolihahla Mandela who was born in the Transkei, South Africa on 18 July 1918. Mandela was educated at the University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in the resistance movement against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948.

After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC (Umkhonto we Sizwe). Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for leaving the country illegally. Whilst serving this sentence he and many fellow leaders of the ANC were charged with sabotage. Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting the overthrow the government by force. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mandela was released on 11 Feburary 1990 after serving 27 years in jail. In 1991 he was elected President of the ANC and on 10 May 1994 he was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa. Mandela retired from public life in June 1999.

On the common obverses, a King Protea, the words "South Africa" and the year "2007" are featured.

The coin comes in a SA Munt pouch.