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Thursday 16 April 2020

1308) The "Retinal Cryo-Probe", South Africa: A 2 Rand Sterling Silver Proof Coin and a 2-1/2 Cent "Tickey"" Combo set issued by the South African Mint: Date of Coin Set issue: 03.03.2020:

1308) The "Retinal Cryo-Probe", South Africa: A 2 Rand Sterling Silver Proof Coin and a 2-1/2 Cent "Tickey"" Combo set issued by the South African Mint: Date of Coin Set issue: 03.03.2020:

The South African Mint has brought out on 03.03.2020, its fifth set of Two-Rand Crown and 2.5 Cent "Tickey" Coins in its on-going popular Coin Series titled - "Ingenuity and Innovation", which began in 2016. The theme was introduced to highlight globally important inventions and firsts by South Africans.

In 2019, the innovation focussed on "Pratley Putty" - the world's first epoxy adhesive invented by South African engineer - George Pratley.

The latest two-coin set features the Retinal Cryo-Probe, which was invented and commercialised by South African ophthalmologist and bio-medical engineer Dr. Selig Percy Amoils at Baragwanath Hospital, Africa's largest hospital located in Soweto, Johannesburg, in 1965. His invention revolutionised cataract surgery.


A Combo of the 2 Rand Sterling Silver coin and a 2-1/2 Cent "Tickey" placed together with a Sterling Silver miniature sculpture of a human eye in this elegant presentation Box

About the Retinal Cryo-Probe:

The Retinal Cryo-Probe is a large, pen-like instrument commonly used in Cryo-surgery. The Retinal Cryo-Probe is inserted into a cut in the eye to deliver a liquid gas with precision and accuracy. The Cryo-Probe emits analgesic nitrous oxide at below-freezing temperatures of 80 degrees Celsius and freezes the cataract. The cataract (or other unwanted tissue) can then be removed with no risk of destroying healthy adjacent tissue. It has since found applications in the field of general, as well as, veterinary medicine.

Cataracts have been identified as a national health priority in South Africa and remain the leading cause of blindness, according to the South African Optometric Association (SAOA).

Amoils received global recognition for his invention and in 1975 was awarded the Queen's Award for Technological Innovation.

He also received the Medal of Honour of the United states Academy of Applied Science (USAAS).

His Cryo-Probe remains on display at the Kensington Museum in London. His most famous patient was President Nelson Mandela, who had a cataract in his left eye removed days after his swearing-in as South Africa's President in 05/1994.

For his work, Amoils was also bestowed upon the Silver Order of Mapungubwe - "for excellence in the field of Ophthalmology and for inspiring his colleagues in the field of science." The Order was first inaugurated in 2002 and is awarded to South African citizens for achievements that have impacted internationally and served the interests of the Republic of South Africa.

The Commemorative Coin set:

The Two (2) Rand Sterling Silver  Coin:


The Reverse of the Two-Rand Sterling Silver Proof Coin depicts the anatomy of an eye. The inscriptions are - "R2 RETINAL CRYOPROBE", "1965-2020" and 1 Oz Ag925 Cu75".

The circle on the Crown Coin is a place holder for the smaller "Tickey" Coin, which when placed onto the Crown, gives the impression of a Retinal Cryo-Peobe procedure.


The Obverse of the Two-Rand Sterling Silver Proof Coin depicts the National Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of South Africa in the centre, around with are inscribed the name of the issuing country - "SOUTH AFRICA" - in all 10 official languages of the country.

On either side of the Coat of Arms is mentioned the year of issue - "2020".

The specifications of the Two (2) Rand Proof Coin are:

Coin Series theme: "Ingenuity and Innovations"; Coin theme: The "Retinal Cryo-Probe"; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Sterling Silver (Ag), .75 Copper (CU); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.725 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Year: 2020.

The 2-1/2 Cents Sterling Silver "Tickey":


The Reverse of the much smaller 2.5 Cent Sterling Silver "Tickey" Proof Coin depicts a gloved hand holding the Retinal Cryo-Probe, the initials - "SPA" ( for "Selig Percy Amoils"), the denomination of the coin "2-1/2 C" and the metal composition - " Ag925 Cu75".


The Obverse of the 2.5 Cents Sterling Silver "Tickey" Proof Coin shows a King Protea, which first appeared on three-pence coins in 1925.

The words "SOUTH AFRICA" and the year of issue - "2020" are inscribed on this face. When the "Tickey" is placed on top of the crown in the designated area, the surgical procedure is recreated.

The specifications of this Silver 2-1/2 "Tickey" Coin are:

Coin Series Theme: "ingenuity and Innovation; This Coin Theme: The "Retinal Cryo-Probe"; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Sterling Silver (Ag), .75 Copper (Cu); Weight: 1.414 grams; Diameter/Size: 16.3 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Year: 2020.

The Two Coin Combo Set:


The 2020 two Coin combo set of Sterling Silver Two-Rand Crown Coins and 2.5 Cent "Tickey" Coins are each available separately and also as part of a two coin set which includes a Sterling Silver miniature "sculpture" of the human eye. The set is packaged in an elegant piano finish varnished walnut wood presentation case and is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

This combo is a limited edition issue of 700 sets.

A Combo set of a Krugerrand & Crown:


This special edition set contains a R2 Sterling Silver Crown featuring the anatomy of the human eye, together with a 1 Oz Fine Silver Krugerrand with the human eye as a privy mark.

This combo is a limited edition issue of 500 sets and is scheduled to be issued in 07/2020.





Some other interesting posts from the African Continent on this blog:







15) Archosauria (The Rise of the Dinosaurs): "Natura series" of Five Gold Coins from the "Palaeontology Collection": A set of Gold Coins brought out by the South african Mint in 2018

16) New Circulation coins Series, Kenya: introduced by the Central Bank of Kenya on 11.12.2018


17) Sudan: A 100 Pounds Banknote being issued by the Central Bank of Sudan by End February 2019


18) Algeria: i) Introduction of two new denominations of 500 and 1,000 Algerian Dinars (AD), which will kick-start the new "Fifth Series of Algerian Dinar Banknotes" ii) A 100 Algerian Dinar tri-metallic coin which wil replace the 100 Dinar circulating Banknote of the same denomination

19) South Africa: "The Big Five Silver Coin Series": 1) First Coin in the Series brought out by the South African Mint features the African Elephant on a Five Rand Coin as the first variant issued in 02/2019: 2) Later Coin issues will feature the Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros and the Buffalo


20) 25 Years of Constitutional Democracy in South africa (SA25): Celebrating the milestone with the issue of six circulation coins (R2 five coins & R5 one Coin) and three Commemorative Coins (Gold R500, Sterling Silver R50 & Bronze Alloy R50) issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in partnership with the South African Mint: Coin release dats: 04/2019 & 05/2019

21) Dr. Tawhida Ben Chiekh (1910-2010), Tunisia: A new 10 Dinar Banknote issued by the "Banque Centrale de Tunisie" (Central Bank of Tunisia) honouring the pioneering doctor, who replaces Dido (Queen Elissa), the founder & first Queen of Carthage on the 10 Dinar Banknote: Date of Banknote issue: 27.03.2020

22) The "Retinal Cryo-Probe", South Africa: A 2 Rand Sterling Proof Coin and a 2-1/2 Cent "Tickey" Combo set issued by the South African Mint: Date of Coin Set issue: 03.03.2020

Some other interesting links to posts on this blog on Currencies of the Middle-East:



2 comments:

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