In 2017, the South African Mint introduced the theme of ‘Celebrating South Africa’. Fittingly, the same year marks the centenary of the birth, on 27 October 1917, of Oliver Reginald Tambo. This product series commemorates his legacy by depicting the roles he played at various stages of his life and political career in securing a free, democratic and culturally dynamic South Africa
"‘Comrade OR’, as he was affectionately known, was a founding member of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League and between 1944 and his untimely passing in 1993, took on various leadership roles in the party including General Secretary, National Chairperson, Deputy President and President.
Although ‘Comrade OR’ did not fully experience the liberated and democratic dispensation we now enjoy, he spent the better part of his life standing up for those very ideals – for this, his legacy lives on.
The series consists of a 1 oz pure-gold R500 proof coin, a 1 oz sterling-silver R50 proof coin, a base-metal R50 non-circulating legal tender coin and a R5 commemorative circulation coin." SA Mint
Celebrating South Africa: OR Tambo R50 (proof quality, base metal)
"The R50 OR Tambo base metal coin is the first non-circulating, collectable legal tender coin made from base metal.
The reverse of the non-circulating legal tender coin features a stylised interpretation of Oliver Tambo with his full name ‘Oliver Reginald Tambo’ and the date of the centenary ‘1917–2017’ along the circumference. The denomination ‘R50’ and metal value ‘Cu Al Ni ’ are also depicted on the reverse." SA Mint