2008 “Laser Frosted” Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday 5 Rand.
As part of the celebration of Mandela coins, the SA Mint especially manufactured the 2008 Birthday coin using a laser technique. This technique was applied to the shirt with detailed texturing lasered onto it.
When comparing the 2008 laser frosted R5 coin and the standard R5, one can see a distinct difference between the patterns on the shirts.
This coin is scarce as there are only 14 000 minted.
‘Laser frosting’ = a technique by which the die (mould) is sandblasted, creating a crystallized-metal (frosted) effect on the raised parts of a coin struck with that die.