South Africa releases Mandela's 90th birthday coin

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - 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.

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