The New R5 Coin
4th Decimal South African Circulation Currency
How an email that I almost discarded as spam turned out to be a very real invitation to a once in a lifetime project. Here is a little about how my work got noticed and how it became a small part of South Africa’s history. I have included some images from the very secret process that led to my drawing getting emblazoned on the R5 circulation coin.
— The R5 Coin —
4th decimal Circulation 5 Rand Coin South African Reserve Bank
Official Currency Launch | March 2023 Nelson Mandela Foundation, Johannesburg
R5 & "Whales Of The Cape"
The Story
Late in 2019 I received an email from SA Mint, a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank, inviting me to a meeting to discuss a ‘Top Secret’ project. It was one of those moments you think to yourself — ‘Yeah right’. I had nearly written off the missive as spam but then curiosity got the better of me. I decided to go for the meeting at the appointed place and time.
Upon entering the venue, I was greeted by people unknown to me and ushered into a boardroom. If you are like me, then being recognized by strangers is an odd experience. I was asked to sign a non disclosure agreement that was longer than a few books that I’ve read, and provide the necessary identity documents.
I chose to submit drawings of a Southern Right Whale (Balaenoptera australis), for South Africa’s new 5 Rand Coin.
The template for the 5R coin.
The explorations
As a national symbol, a coin is part of a country’s visual language. It is therefore of paramount importance that the image represented on it is in no way derivative of any photograph or drawing created by another person. I love drawing from imagination and have been better at it than drawing from a subject.
The template for the metallurgical specifications of the 5 Rand coin was part of a set of Top Secret documents that were provided to the artists for the various coins. This was a guide to understand the space I was to work on.
I’ve been familiar with whale anatomy, but one needs little reason to visit the museum and then binge watch nature documentaries. With the necessary procrastination research out of the way, I began sketching postures that I felt would work in a circular frame.
Reducing my drawings to coin size
The Wildabeest and the Whale
New Proposed drawing on layout
After narrowing down to 2-3 postures that I liked, I began doing more detailed drawings. Drawing for a coin is a very special process. The metallic surface is great at picking up detail, however it is not high in contrast. The bas-relief is measured in microns, so you can’t really depict perspective very well. In terms of spatial positioning the furthest part of your subject and the closest part are not very discernible in relief.
I drew a mother and her calf as a symbol of hope. Hope that we can pass the planet on to the next generation. The coin also has three Galjoen, South Africa’s national fish. Together there are five lifeforms represented on the coin. The backdrop depicts a tiny detail of South Africa’s Wild Coast.
Points of refinement
Placement with waterline
R5 & 'Whales Of The Cape'
The entire process unfolded in complete secrecy over three years. It also made me realize that I may have a special talent for secrets. As we got closer to seeing a coin engraved, I worked on refining the more subtle aspects of the drawing. The fact that this object will outlive me did place some pressure on how refined the forms would have to be.
Limited Edition Proof Set 4th Decimal Coin Series
Limited Edition Proof Set 4th Decimal Coin Series
4th Decimal Series Proof set
The new currency was eventually launched in March 2023 at an event in Johannesburg, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. I don’t think it ever really sunk in that I would get to be this small part of South African history. The best part of the whole project was seeing my ninety year old grandmother read about me in the Sunday paper (pictured below).
