South Africa Releases Mandela 90th Birthday Coin
(AP Photo/Jerome Delay) :: Former South African President NelsonMandela stands in front of a picture of a new Randcoin, during its launch at the Mandelafoundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, July 7, 2008, to celebrate Mandela's 90th birthday. The coinfeatures a portrait of Mandela, and will go into circulation on Friday, July 18, 2008, Mandela'sbirthday.
Updated: 7/8/2008
The South African Reserve Bank says 5 million coins featuring a smiling Nelson Mandela will go into circulation on July 18, the former president's 90th birthday.
The new five rand coin is South Africa's largest coin, worth about 65 U.S. cents. It shows Mandela in one of his signature patterned shirts and is the latest in a series of events honoring the anti-apartheid activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
In June, Mandela was the special guest at a star-studded birthday concert in London's Hyde Park. Well-wishers can also pay 20 rand (about US$3) to text Mandela a happy birthday message in a fundraiser organized by his foundation.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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