South Africa - 2 rand WWF collector coin

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New R2 minted on Table Mountain
May 13 2011

300 of the coins to fetch up to R9 800 each.

Using an antique press, a R2 Silver Crown coin has been specially struck on the top of Table Mountain to mark the 50th anniversary of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

A team from SA Mint – which produces the country's coins – was there for the day to produce 300 of the coins, which will be sold to collectors as part of a worldwide project involving the UK's Royal Mint.

Natanya van Niekerk, a deputy manager at SA Mint, yesterday said it was "the first time in coining history" that a coin had been struck – bearing the imprint of where it was printed – on top of the city's iconic landmark.

The coins are to be sold for R660 and the limited-edition set, which includes the medallion and bi-metal coin, will go for R9800.

One side of the coin has the WWF's globally-known symbol, the endangered Panda, while the other side – this time with the familiar outline of Table Mountain next to it – shows South Africa's endangered Bluecrane. There are only about a quarter of these birds left compared with a 100 years ago, WWF SA CEO Morne du Plessis told the guests.

The guests at the event included Western Cape tourism and economy MEC Alan Winde and Cape Town mayor Dan Plato.

"The two iconic species featured on the coin – one local and one from abroad – illustrate both the local and global nature of WWF's work," Du Plessis said.

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the coins – expected to be bought largely by collectors – will go to WWF SA.

Du Plessis said the nature conservation organisation had already spent more than R100m buying land around the Table Mountain chain to donate to SA National Parks so as to protect the region's natural heritage and keep the property out of the hands of developers.

Winde urged the WWF supporters gathered at the lavish event to send an SMS saying "Table" to the number 34874 to support an international campaign to get Table Mountain listed as one of new seven wonders of the world.

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Photo caption: WWF SA CEO Morne du Plessis says the blue crane, which is featured on one side of the coin, is gravely endangered in South Africa. Picture: SHAUN BENTON