Big Five – SA Mint Gold Coins

Big Five: the “Big Five” from Africa in gold

The SA Mint released the legendary, globally sought-after first series “Big Five” between 2019 and 2021. This series of coins is dedicated to five famous animals from Africa. These animals are: the elephant, the lion, the rhinoceros, the buffalo and the leopard.

All gold coins appear in the highest minting quality “Proof“= PP/Polished Plate and with a small mintage of only 500 pieces per motif. Each coin comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The coins are encapsulated and packaged in a fine box.

So what makes this series a must-have for coin collectors? It is the extremely popular and extremely high quality designed motifs, the very small circulation and of course the name of the mint famous for the Krugerrand. For silver fans, there are similar coins in silver (Big Five Silver).

What does Big Five stand for?

The Big Five” is the name given to 5 specific animals of Africa: elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo. They are considered particularly difficult to hunt. Therefore, because of this difficulty, they were once particularly popular hunting targets for big game hunters. It is precisely these animals that are traditionally known in South Africa as the Big Five. Animal motifs have been used in South African banknotes since 1988 and are therefore closely associated with the African currency. Even on the banknotes of South Africa the five animals were already to be seen. The SA Mint (South African Mint) is the continent’s leading producer of legal tender, commemorative and rare collector coins.

The Big Five Animals of South Africa – Your Safari Itinerary

South Africa is a country blessed with diverse flora and fauna, including some of the most magnificent wildlife in the world. These include the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. These animals have captured the imagination of travelers and animal lovers from around the world and are a must-see on any safari itinerary.

Lion

The lion, also known as the king of the jungle, is the most famous of the Big Five in South Africa. These majestic animals can be found in most of the country’s large game reserves, including Kruger National Park. Lions are social animals that live in prides, with males sporting impressive manes. They are apex predators and hunt a variety of animals including buffalo, giraffe and zebra.

Leopard

The leopard is perhaps the most elusive animal among the Big Five. They are solitary animals that prefer to hunt at night and are therefore difficult to spot during the day. They are nimble and strong and can take down prey much larger than themselves. Leopards are found in most game reserves in South Africa, including Sabi Sands Game Reserve and Timbavati Game Reserve.

Elephant

The African elephant is the largest land animal on earth and one of the most intelligent. They are herbivores that can consume up to 300 pounds of plants in a single day. Elephants are very social animals that live in family groups led by a matriarch. They can be found in most of South Africa’s game reserves, including Addo Elephant National Park and Greater Kruger National Park.

Rhinoceros

The rhinoceros is a prehistoric looking animal that is unfortunately threatened by poaching for its valuable horns. South Africa is home to both the white rhino and the black rhino, the latter being the most endangered. These magnificent animals are herbivores and are found in most of South Africa’s game reserves, including Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Pilanesberg National Park.

Buffalo

The buffalo is a fearsome animal known for its unpredictability. They are herbivores that travel in large herds and are found in most game reserves in South Africa. Buffalo are considered one of the most dangerous animals of the Big Five because they are aggressive and tend to attack when threatened.

When planning a safari in South Africa, it is important to realize that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. However, if you visit one of the country’s many game reserves and safari lodges, you increase your chances of seeing these magnificent Big Five animals in their natural habitat. Whether you are a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or going on safari for the first time, South Africa is sure to amaze you with its incredible wildlife and natural beauty.

Big Five II gold coins: the continuation 2021 to 2023

In the years 2021 to 2023 the five gold coins of the continuation series Big Five II appear. They are also issued by the South African Mint and show the same five animals. These animal are again: elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo.

Following the release sequence of the first series, this latest collection will also follow a staggered release approach, with elephant being the first issue of the new series, followed by lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo every six months.

The second edition of the Big 5 features a small change in the front design, while the back design with the two halves of the animal face remains the same as the previous series. The obverse of the first issue of elephant coins showed both the face and part of the body of the majestic creature, pointing to the left.

In the new series, the obverse of the coins is depicted by the face of the animal, without the rest of his body. The long, downward-pointing tusks on the front of Series I have been replaced with shorter, upward-pointing tusks, with the elephant pointing to the right.

A novelty of the Big Five collection in Series II are the introduction of new coin formats or sizes, something that should particularly please coin collectors around the world. The coins are still available in three metals: silver, gold and platinum. The mintage of 500 pieces per motif, the oz unit as well as the minting quality “Proof” for the gold coins correspond to the specifications of the predecessors.

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