Owner Comments:
Joint Finest Known PF / MS! (1/8)
NGC no longer recognize the 2002 World Summit PF graded coins as such. They are now all recognized under the MS slot.
Total Graded: 487
Mintage: Unknown
With the introduction of the Third Decimal Series in 1990, the R1 was changed to nickel-plated copper and was made smaller.
On various occasions, commemorative one-rand coins are also issued.
This circulating commemorative R1 coin was issued to commemorate the Johannesburg World Summit in 2002.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002 took place in South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. It was convened to discuss sustainable development organisations, 10 years after the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro - hence it was also informally nicknamed "Rio+10".
R1 coins issued in 2002 have now been in circulation for 21 years.
Obverse
Within a recessed square with rounded corners, the obverse of the coin displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre, as adopted on Freedom Day 27 April 2000.
The Coat of Arms is a series of elements organised in distinct symmetric egg-like or oval shapes placed on top of one another. The completed structure combines the lower and higher oval shape in a symbol of infinity. The path that connects the lower edge of the scroll, through the lines of the tusks, with the horizon above and the sun rising at the top, forms the shape of the cosmic egg from which the secretary bird rises. In the symbolic sense, this is the implied rebirth of the spirit of the great and heroic nation of South Africa.
The motto in the semicircle around below, ǃKE E꞉ ǀXARRA ǁKE, is written in the Khoisan language of the ǀXam people and translates literally to "diverse people unite".
Below the Coat of Arms, the initials of the engraver: ALS (for Arthur Sutherland).
Around left, the name of the country in Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika; around right, the name in Sepedi/Sesotho (Northern Sotho and Southern Sotho): Afrika Borwa.
Around above, the date of issue: 2002.
Reverse
The reverse shows a globe, with Africa prominent on the map. To the right, the logo of the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002.
Below, the inscription JOHANNESBURG WORLD SUMMIT, below which the date 2002.
The value and denomination 1 RAND are above.
In the lower right, the initials of the engraver MJS (for MJ Scheepers).