The SA Mint produced a series of gold “Protea” coins until 2019 in two different sizes to commemorate South Africa’s rich history. The obverse shows an image of the King Protea (Protea Cynaroides) or King Sugar Bush, the national flower of South Africa.
The SA Mint/South African Mint is responsible for minting all coins of the South African Rand on behalf of its owner, the South African Reserve Bank. Located in Centurion, Gauteng, near South Africa’s administrative capital of Pretoria, the mint produces coins for the national and international markets.
Proteas belong to the genus of sugar bushes and are the most important plants at the southern tip of Africa. They are considered South Africa’s cut flower queen. The issue of Protea gold coins are strictly limited and are encapsulated, as with the Proof Krugerrand. The collectible coins with the motif of the South African Protea are relatively rare in investor circles.
The Protea coin was first issued in 1986 by the South African Mint in gold (1/10 ounce (1 oz) and one full ounce (1 oz)) and silver (13.875 grams fineness). The SA Mint issues special coins, often to commemorate a special event or award. Each back bears a different attractive design based on the theme of that year.
No Protea coins were issued in 1989 and 1990. Since 2013 then with Nelson Mandela as motif.
The individual Protea motifs according to the respective minting years:
1986 – Centenary of the Great Gold Rush Protea (edition: 4701)
1988 – Dias Commemorative Protea, 300th Anniversary of the landing of the Huguenots Protea and 150th Anniversary of the Great Trek (Edition: 3802)
1989 – none
1990 – none
1991 – A tribute to 100 Years of Nursing in South Africa (edition: 3004)
Nursing Commemorative Protea 1 oz 1991 PCGS PR69DCAM (Edition: 3004)
1992 – 100th Anniversary of Minting in South Africa (Edition: 1752)
1993 – 200th Anniversary of Banking in South Africa (Edition: 2032)
1994 – 100th Anniversary of Nature Conservation in South Africa (Edition: 1187)
1995 – 100th Anniversary of Railway Links over International Borders (Circulation: 694)
1996 – The New South African Constitution (New South African Constitution 1994) – (Edition: 987)
1997 – The South African Woman (South Africa) – (Circulation: 351)
1998 – The Year of the Child (Puzzle) Protea (Edition: 298)
1999 – The Gold Miner Protea (Mining in South Africa) – (Circulation: 253)
2000 – The Wine Industry Protea (Vine cultivation in South Africa) – (Circulation: 278)
2001 – Tourism Industry in South Africa (Tourism in South Africa) – (Circulation: 972)
2002 – Soccer (Bafana Bafana) Protea (Football) and World Summit On Sustainable Development – (Circulation: 137)
2003 – Cricket World Cup Protea – (Circulation: 210)
2004 – Ten Years of Democracy (Nelson Mandela). (Circulation: 6000)
2005 – Chief Albert Luthuli Protea (Chief Albert Luthuli) – (Circulation: 4090)
2006 – Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Archbishop Desmond Tutu) – (Edition: 4013)
2007 – Mandela and FW de Klerk Protea (Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk) – (Edition: 6617)
2008 – Mahatma Gandhi Protea (Mahatma Gandhi) – (Edition: 3023)
2009 – South African National Anthem – (Circulation: 377)
2010 – Nobel Prize for Literature, Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Prize for Literature by Nadine Gordimer) – (Circulation: 286)
2011 – Nobel Laureate for Literature, JM Coetzee Protea (JM Coetzee Nobel Prize in Literature) – (Edition: 184)
2012 – The Sisulus Protea – (Edition: 251)
2013 – The Life of a Legend Nelson Mandela Protea – (Edition: 1409)
and since 2013 with Nelson Mandela as the main motif.
Protea gold coin description
Protea Alloy and Gold Content – For the first 10 years of mintage (1986 to 1996), the Protea was minted in a 22 karat alloy (like the Krugerrand with 8.33% copper admixture). From the year 1997 the production was made of 999,9/1000 fine gold (24 carat). The gold Protea were thus the first fine gold coins in South Africa.
Protea coin a means of payment
The Protea as official means of payment – With a face value of 25 Rand for the full ounce or 5 Rand for the tenth of an ounce and one Rand in silver, the coins of the Protea series are an official means of payment in South Africa.
Protea silver and gold coins on sale – The rare coins of the Protea series are mostly sold in specialized numismatic shops and have significant premiums compared to normal/standard bullion coins.
About the author: Larissa Wasserthal
Larissa Wasserthal analyzes the international market for modern, certified gold coins and rare South African collector issues at Wasserthal RareCoin.Store. Her focus is on Krugerrand Proof, Natura, Protea, Big Five, and other South African Mint issues where design, condition, certification, and market availability are closely intertwined.
She combines numismatic expertise with practical market experience from international trade – especially with South African coins, whose collector value is determined by origin, motif strength, condition and actual availability.
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This article was updated for you in April 2026.
The information on the Protea collector coins of the South African Mint, on gold and silver issues, on their historical significance and their relevance for collectors of South African coins, was revised and clarified.
