Last time we checked in with the South African Mint, they were getting ready to launch their new line of R2 and R5 coins.

Well, the wait is over and the coins are here.

The South African Reserve Bank and the South African Mint launched a number of new circulation coins, celebrating South Africa’s 25 years of Constitutional democracy, at an event yesterday (June 5).

BusinessTech reports that SARB governor Lesetya Kganyago had the following to say at the launch:

“It is, in fact, the first time in the history of the SARB and the South African Mint that South Africans were consulted to this extent in developing coin themes and designs,” he said.

“I am told that, during the engagement with young South Africans, ‘our constitutional rights’ came up several times, which made this the overarching theme that we decided to depict on the coins. These perspectives were brought to life by some of the country’s most talented young artists who not only poured passion into the project but also captured the essence of the theme.”

I’ll be honest here – with the exception of Rasty and Maaike, the designs are pretty generic.

Of course, that’s just my opinion. Decide for yourself:

Children’s Rights  – R2 coin 

• Artist: Neo Mahlangu
• Reverse Typographer: Garth Walker

Right to Education – R2  coin

• Artist: Neo Mahlangu
• Reverse Typographer: Garth Walker

Environmental Rights – R2 coin 

• Artist: Maaike Bakker
• Reverse Typographer: Garth Walker

Freedom of Movement and Residence – R2 coin 

• Artist: Rasty Knayles
• Reverse Typographer: Garth Walker

Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion – R2 Coin 

• Artist: Peter Mammes
• Reverse Typographer: Garth Walker

‘Let us live and strive for freedom’ – R5 coin 

• Artist: Lady Skollie
• Reverse Typographer: Garth Walker