Big Five Gold Coins – Icons of South African Numismatics

As an internationally recognized specialist dealer for rare South African collector coins and an official partner of the South African Mint, Wasserthal RareCoin.Store offers in-depth expert knowledge and direct access to exclusive editions of the Big Five series – presented in 7 languages for collectors worldwide.

The Big Five gold coins

The Big Five gold coins are among the South African Mint’s most famous and sought-after collector coins. Inspired by the “Big Five”—elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros—the series celebrates Africa’s majestic wildlife with the highest minting quality. Each issue combines artistic precision, limited editions, and the high collectible value of rare proof coins.

The motives of the Big Five

Big Five Gold Coin Elephant
A symbol of wisdom, longevity, and strength, it’s minted on the SA Mint coins with impressive detail—from the distinctive profile to the structure of the tusks.

Big Five Gold Coin Lion
“King of the beasts” and the epitome of courage and power. The coins depict lions with imposing manes and proud expressions, often in close-up.

Big Five Gold Coin Leopard
An elegant predatory cat with characteristic rosette patterns. Its depiction emphasizes grace and hunting ability—often against an African landscape backdrop.

Big Five Gold Coin Buffalo
Known for its determination and strength, the coins in this series depict the buffalo with its powerful build and distinctive horns.

Big Five Gold Coin Rhino

An endangered symbol of Africa, characterized by its distinctive horn and powerful silhouette, it’s a tribute to conservation and the preservation of the species.

Series overview

Series I (2019–2021)
First complete Big Five series featuring all five animals. Characteristic: obverse features the individual animal, reverse features two halves of the same motif, forming a single whole. Strictly limited to 500 pieces per gold proof issue.

Series II (2021–2023)
Continuation with slight design adjustments on the front. The reverse design remains identical. Complemented by new formats and metals (gold, silver, platinum).

Series III (since 2024)
Reinterpretation of the series with adapted obverse: full animal portrait, modernized relief details, reverse still with split animal face.

Launch in 2024 with elephant in gold, silver and platinum
The lion followed in 2025
Further motifs appear regularly

Typical limitations:

Gold 1 oz Proof: 500 pieces
Gold 1/4 oz Proof: 2,000 pieces
Exclusive double sets with Krugerrand mint mark

Special Editions & Rarities

Hand-signed NGC issues – e.g., signed by Tumi Tsehlo, former CEO of the South African Mint
First Day of Issue & First Releases – additional certificate information increases collector appeal
Prestige sets & limited special mintings – often combined with Krugerrand, Natura or Protea coins

Relationship to other SA Mint series

The Big Five are part of a long tradition of South African animal motifs. They are particularly closely linked to the Natura series (since 1994) and the annually changing motifs of the Protea series . The Krugerrand —the world’s most famous bullion coin—has also received special issues with a Big Five theme.

Collector value & market potential

Limited editions and high demand ensure stable value development
Particularly rare in the highest NGC /PCGS grade (PF70 UCAM)
Hand-signed versions offer additional value-added potential

Further articles:

💡 Note for collectors: Many Big Five issues—especially rare proof coins in PF70 or hand-signed first-day issues—are available only from a few dealers worldwide. Wasserthal RareCoin.Store is one of these few authorized sources, offering access to rarities that are extremely difficult to find on the international market.

Here you can find the currently available coins of the Big Five series.
If you are interested in a different issue that we do not currently have in stock, please contact us – we will be happy to help you find the coin you are looking for or a complete set for you.

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Big Five Gold Coins – Icons of South African Numismatics

Big Five Gold Coins – Icons of South African Numismatics

The Big Five gold coins

The motives of the Big Five

Series overview

Special Editions & Rarities

Relationship to other SA Mint series

Collector value & market potential

Further articles:

Südafrika Big Five 2022 – Löwe – Series II – 1 oz Silber im Blister

Südafrika Big Five 2021 – Elefant – Series II – 1 oz Silber im Blister

Südafrika Big Five 2021 – Set Büffel und Krügerrand Privy Büffel – Serie I – 2x 1oz Silber

Südafrika – Big Five – 2019 – Platin – Elefant – First Day of Issue – NGC PF70 UCAM

Natura – Big Five – Büffel – 1997 – 1oz Gold Proof – Etui – COA

Natura – Big Five – Leopard – 1998 – Londolozi Sonderausgabe – 1oz Gold Proof

Big Five – 2024 – Elefant – Serie III – 1oz Proof Gold mit original Box und COA

Südafrika – 2023 – Big Five – Leopard – Series II – 1 oz Proof Gold inkl. Box und COA

Südafrika – 2020 – Nashorn – Big Five Series I – 1 oz Gold Proof

Südafrika – 2019 – Big Five – Elefant – Serie I – 1 oz Proof Gold – Erstausgabetag – NGC PF70 UCAM

Südafrika – 2019 – Big Five – Elefant – Serie I – 1 oz Proof Gold – FDI – NGC PF70 UCAM

Südafrika – 2019 – Big Five – Elefant – Series I – 1 oz Proof Gold inkl. Box und COA

Big Five Gold Coins – Icons of South African Numismatics

The Big Five gold coins

The motives of the Big Five

Series overview

Special Editions & Rarities

Relationship to other SA Mint series

Collector value & market potential

Further articles:

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