This article was updated for you in September 2026.
The information on the South African Mint’s Natura series, the Prestige Sets, the minting quality, and the significance for collectors of modern South African gold coins was revised and clarified.
Natura coins and Prestige Sets from the South African Mint combine African animal motifs, high-quality proof minting, and the special appeal of complete collector sets. The Natura coins were introduced in 1994 as South Africa’s first fine gold coin series. These superbly struck 24-karat gold collector coins feature a different African animal each year. Each collection is limited in number. In addition, the Mint issues an even smaller, exclusive number of Prestige Sets. These are packaged in an elegant wooden box with a plaque bearing the words “Natura Prestige Set,” the year of issue, and an individual number for the set.
The sizes
The coins in the Natura series are available in four sizes:
- 1 oz
- 1/2 oz
- 1/4 oz
- 1/10 oz
All of them are made of gold. They are issued in proof condition only and each coin is housed in a separate plastic holder. Prestige sets are the most sought after, the leather case sets and single coins are slightly less popular.
Whether the complete prestige set or specifically selected individual coins are more interesting in such a series depends on the individual collector’s goal and the issue itself. We explain the fundamental differences in detail in Proof Set or Individual Coins – What Should Collectors Look Out For?
Series topics
Since its inception, the South African Mint has launched several Natura Series collectibles under various wildlife themes. The theme of the first five years, from 1994 to 1998, was Africa’s “Big Five” with lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards and Cape buffalo. “Monarchs of Africa” was the theme introduced in 1999, while the series beginning in 2002 was themed “Wild Cats of Africa.” “Safari through South Africa” (2009) began with the white rhino. The 2010 Natura series was dedicated to the endangered black rhino. These two species were chosen for a reason, to highlight their dwindling numbers as a result of tremendous threats.
Natures Families
In 2011, the South African Mint introduced the “Nature’s Families” theme. The first animal shown in this format was the meerkat, a mongoose species that lives in the Kalahari Desert. The obverse of each coin beautifully depicts a group of meerkats ready to warn their fellow meerkats and other animals of danger.
The colorful wolf
The 2012 Natura series features the African Buntwolf, the country’s most endangered mammal. The series of coins has a common obverse, which shows silhouettes of a pack of wolves near a river. The reverse of each coin shows these animals in different poses.
Mint Mark
For each vintage there are also issues with a mintmark for special occasions. Here is a selection:
- Pretoria Zoo
- Hluhluwe Game Park
- Coin World Mint Mark
- Sabi Sabi
- Londo Lozi
- de Wildt
- Coin World
- Caracal
- Lion Park
- Mapungbwe
- EWT
- SASI
- SAM
Vintages
The individual vintages:
- 1994 – Leo
- 1995 – Rhino
- 1996 – elephant
- 1997 – Buffalo
- 1998 – Leopard
- 1999 – Kudu
- 2000 – Sable
- 2001 – Oryx (Gemsbok)
- 2002 – Cheetah
- 2003 – Leo
- 2004 – Caracal
- 2005 – Hippopotamus / Hippopotamus
- 2006 – Giraffe
- 2007 – Eland
- 2008 – elephant
- 2009 – White Rhino
- 2010 – Black Rhino
- 2011 – Meerkat
- 2012 – Multicolored wolf
- 2013 – Zebra
- 2014 – Leopard
- 2015 – Jackal
- 2016 – Hyena
- 2017 – Springbok
- 2018 – Natura Hominids
- 2019 – Palaeontology
Natura Coins and Prestige Sets – 6 key factors at a glance
Natura coins and prestige sets from the South African Mint fascinate many collectors because they offer far more than just gold. They combine African animal motifs, high-quality proof striking, and the special appeal of complete sets. A closer look at the details is particularly worthwhile with these issues.
- Natura coins are among the best-known modern gold series in South Africa.
- Prestige sets bundle several coins into a thematically coherent unit.
- The African animal motifs are generating international demand.
- Proof embossing, original packaging and certificates strengthen the classification for collectors.
- Complete sets are often valued significantly differently than individual coins.
- The combination of series, theme, and set design makes many issues particularly attractive in the long term.
More information
For more information on the print runs of individual years and the specific designs printed on the cards, please contact us directly.
Feel free to check out our store if you would like to buy a coin. Of course, we regularly have some copies of these beautiful and very rare Natura coins and sets available with us. If you are looking for a specific vintage, feel free to contact us. We will help you find it, because the search for coins is our passion.
About the author: Larissa Wasserthal
Larissa Wasserthal analyzes the international market for modern, certified gold coins and rare South African collector issues at Wasserthal RareCoin.Store. Her focus is on Krugerrand Proof, Natura, Protea, Big Five, and Prestige Sets, where design, condition, certification, and market availability are closely intertwined.
She combines numismatic expertise with practical market experience from international trade – especially with South African gold coins, whose collector value is characterized by seriality, completeness and actual availability.
