50 Rand 2018, South Africa
| in Krause book | Number: 145 |
| Years of issue: | 2018 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Governor: Mr. Lesetja Kganyago (09.11.2014 - ) |
| Serie: | 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary Commemorative Issue |
| Specimen of: | 2018 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 140 x 70 |
| Printer: | South African Bank Note Company (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and denomination 50.
Avers:
On right side is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013) - a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Mandela was Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999. 
Top left is coat of arms of South Africa.
"Or, representations of two San human figures of red ochre, statant respectant, the hands of the innermost arms clasped, with upper arm, inner wrist, waist and knee bands Argent, and a narrow border of red ochre; the shield ensigned of a spear and knobkierie in saltire, Sable. There above a demi-secretary bird displayed Or, charged on the breast with a stylized representation of a protea flower with outer petals Vert, inner petals Or and seeded of nine triangles conjoined in three rows, the upper triangle Gules, the second row Vert, Or inverted and Vert, and the third row Vert, Or inverted, Sable, Or inverted and Vert. Above the head of the secretary bird an arc of seven rays facetted Or and Orange, the two outer rays conjoined to the elevated wings.
Upon a riband Vert, the motto in letters Argent. Issuant from the ends of the riband two pairs of elephant tusks curving inwards, the tips conjoined to the wings of the secretary bird, Or, there within and flanking the shields, two ears of wheat Brunatré".
The first element is the motto, in a green semicircle. Completing the semicircle are two symmetrically placed pairs of elephant tusks pointing upwards. Within the oval shape formed by the tusks are two symmetrical ears of wheat, that in turn frame a centrally placed gold shield.
The shape of the shield makes reference to the drum, and contains two human figures from Khoisan rock art. The figures are depicted facing one another in greeting and in unity.
Above the shield are a spear and a knobkierie, crossed in a single unit. These elements are arranged harmoniously to give focus to the shield and complete the lower oval shape of foundation.
The motto
The motto is written in the Khoisan language of the Xam people, literally meaning "diverse people unite". It addresses each individual effort to harness the unity between thought and action. On a collective scale it calls for the nation to unite in a common sense of belonging and national pride - unity in diversity.
The ears of wheat
An emblem of fertility, it also symbolizes the idea of germination, growth and the feasible development of any potential. It relates to the nourishment of the people and signifies: the agricultural aspects of the Earth.
Elephant tusks
Elephants symbolize wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity.
The shield
It has a dual function as a vehicle for the display of identity and of spiritual defence. It contains the primary symbol of our nation.
The human figures
The figures are depicted in an attitude of greeting, symbolizing unity. This also represents the beginning of the individual’s transformation into the greater sense of :belonging to the nation and by extension, collective humanity.
The spear and knobkierie
Dual symbols of defence and authority, they in turn represent the powerful legs of the secretary bird. The spear and knobkierie are lying down, symbolizing peace.
Immediately above the oval shape of foundation, is the visual center of the coat of arms, a protea. The petals of the protea are rendered in a triangular pattern reminiscent of the crafts of Africa.
The secretary bird is placed above the protea and the flower forms the chest of the bird. It stands with its wings uplifted in a regal and uprising gesture. The distinctive head feathers of the secretary bird crown a strong and vigilant head. The rising sun above the horizon is placed between the wings of the secretary bird and completes the oval shape of ascendance.
The combination of the upper and lower oval shapes intersect to form an unbroken infinite course, and the great harmony between the basic elements result in a dynamic, elegant and thoroughly distinctive design. Yet it clearly retains the stability, gravity and immediacy that a coat of arms demands.
The King protea
Protea
The protea is an emblem of the beauty of our land and the flowering of our potential as a nation in pursuit of the African Renaissance. The protea symbolizes the holistic :integration of forces that grow from the Earth and are nurtured from above. The most popular colors of Africa have been assigned to the protea - green, gold, red and black.
The secretary bird
The secretary bird is characterized in flight, the natural consequence of growth and speed. It is the equivalent of the lion on Earth. A powerful bird whose legs - depicted as the :spear and knobkierie - serve it well in its hunt for snakes, symbolizing protection of the nation against its enemies. It is a messenger of the heavens and conducts its grace upon :the Earth. In this sense it is a symbol of divine majesty. Its uplifted wings are an emblem of the ascendance of our nation, while simultaneously offering us its protection. It is :depicted in gold, which clearly symbolizes its association with the sun and the highest power.
The rising sun
An emblem of brightness, splendour and the supreme principle of the nature of energy. It symbolizes the promise of rebirth, the active faculties of reflection, knowledge, good judgement and willpower. It is the symbol of the source of life, of light and the ultimate wholeness of humanity.
Lower left is a coincides image, as security measure.
Centered is diving protective strip with hologram coat of arms of South Africa.
Centered, on the background, are the Transvaal lions. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes.
Two denominations are in numerals, one in words.
Revers:
Nelson Mandela in young age.
Long Walk to Freedom is a monument to Nelson Mandela by artist Marco Cianfanelli. Installed in 2012 in the small town of Howick, near Durban, South Africa. It is made of 50 steel column-plates with a height of 6 to 9 meters, fixed at the base separately from each other.
On August 5, 1962, an event occurred in the vicinity of the small South African town of Howick, that had far-reaching consequences throughout the world. On a deserted stretch of highway R103, leading from the suburbs of Durban inland, the apartheid police stopped a car driving which was one of the leaders of the underground organization of the African National Congress - Nelson Mandela. At that time, he had already been on the wanted list for 17 months, and it was possible to find him only with the assistance of specialists from the CIA. On charges of plotting a coup d'état, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment and spent the next 27 years of his life in prison. According to Mandela himself, "this was the beginning of a long journey to freedom."
The author of the monument is the South African sculptor Marco Cianfanelli, who was born in Johannesburg. Graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Fine Arts in 1992 and soon became famous for his unusual installations, combining original artistic solutions, masterful use of the latest technology and deep conceptual background. According to Marco Tsianfanelli, the monument was conceived to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrest of Nelson Mandela. This date is reflected in the number of vertical steles that make up the sculptural composition. The monument was inaugurated in 2012.
The monument consists of 50 low-carbon steel poles with a height of 6.5 to 9.5 meters, which simultaneously symbolize both the prison bars and the anniversary itself. The memorial includes a small alley adjacent to the monument from the north, designed by the architect Jeremy Rose. In the very center of the alley - at a distance of 35 meters from the sculptural composition - there is a memorial plate. From this point on, Mandela's portrait forms a single picture.
Prehistoric hunting scenes - leaping antelopes and the hunters.
Languages on banknote: English, Venda, Xhosa.
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