SA doctor honoured on new coin
South African Mint unveils new 2020 2½ cent Tickey and R2 Crown series
THE SA Mint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank, continues to unearth virtuous examples of South African ingenuity and innovation to further enrich the coin collecting experience. The retinal cryoprobe, invented and commercialised by South African ophthalmologist and biomedical engineer Dr Selig Percy Amoils is the subject of the new 2020 2½ cent Tickey and R2 Crown series.
The “South African Inventions” theme was introduced on the Crown and Tickey coin series in 2016 to highlight globally-relevant inventions and firsts by South Africans.
In 2019, Pratley Putty, the world’s first epoxy adhesive invented by South African engineer George Pratley was used by Nasa aboard its Ranger moon-landing craft more than 50 years ago. This year, the series features the retinal cryoprobe, invented in 1965 at Baragwanath Hospital, Africa’s largest, in Soweto.
The cryoprobe is a large, pen-like instrument used in cryosurgery, a technique that uses extreme cold to remove abnormal or diseased tissue. The retinal cryoprobe emits analgesic nitrous oxide, at temperatures of -80ºC. When inserted into a cut in the eye, it freezes the cataract, which is then removed.
The procedure only targets damaged tissues without affecting any adjacent tissue. Cataract surgery is one of the most common performed worldwide and considered among the most successful in all of medicine. Cataract has been identified as a national health priority in the country and remains the leading cause of blindness according to the SA Optometric Association.
Amoils received global recognition for his invention and in 1975 was awarded the Queen’s Award for Technological Innovation. He received the medal of honour of the US Academy of Applied Science. His cryoprobe remains on display at Kensington Museum in London. His most famous patient, president Nelson Mandela had the cataract in his left eye removed days after his swearing in as democratic South Africa’s first president.
Amoils was also bestowed with the Silver Order of Mapungubwe “for excellence in the field of ophthalmology and for inspiring his colleagues in the field of science”. The Order is awarded to South African citizens for achievements that have impacted internationally and served the interests of the Republic.
“We created this beautiful coin for collectors who cherish the prospect of adding unique themes to their collections, as well as those whose lives have been changed due to this extraordinary invention. This is an everlasting way in which one can cherish the wonderful contributions made by South Africans,” says Honey Mamabolo, SA Mint managing director.
The crown coin features the anatomy of an eye on the reverse, the years “1965” and “2020”, the words “Retinal
Cryoprobe”, and the denomination “R2”. On the obverse, the national coat of arms, the words “South Africa” in all the official languages, and the year of issue, “2020”, are featured. The reverse of the much smaller tickey coin depicts a gloved hand holding the retinal cryoprobe, the letters “SPA” for “Selig Percy Amoils”, and the denomination 2½c. The obverse shows a king protea, the words “South Africa”, and the year “2020”. When the tickey is placed on top of the crown in the designated area, the surgical procedure is recreated.
Only 1 000 of the 2020 South African
Inventions sterling silver R2 crown coins and the single 2½c sterling silver tickey coins will be produced individually, and 700 in a set including a sterling silver miniature sculpture of the eye and packaged in a beautiful piano finish varnish, walnut wood box.
The range also includes the Krugerrand and Crown Launch set which consists of a proof sterling silver R2 Crown and a proof fine silver Krugerrand with a privy mark. Only 500 sets will be produced.
For information go to: https://www. samint.co.za/order-form/ |