South Africa Big Five 2021 – Elephant – Series II – 1 oz Gold – Polished Plate

You see here the 2021 issue with the elephant of the new Series II of the famous Big Five series of the SA Mint from South Africa.

The African elephant (Loxodonta) is a genus consisting of two living elephant species, the African bush elephant (L. africana) and the smaller African forest elephant (L. cyclotis). Both are social herbivores with gray skin, but differ in the size and color of their tusks and the shape and size of their ears and skulls.

Both species are considered critically endangered on the IUCN Red List; as of 2021, the bush elephant is considered endangered and the forest elephant is considered threatened with extinction. They are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and poaching for the illegal ivory trade is also a threat in several range countries.

Loxodonta is one of two extant genera of the family Elephantidae. The name refers to the diamond-shaped enamel of their molars. Fossil remains of Loxodonta species have been excavated in Africa and date from the middle Pliocene.

Front:

The front shows the head of an African elephant and the national emblem of South Africa. The inscription “SOUTH AFRICA” and “BIG FIVE 2021” can also be seen.

Back:

The reverse of the gold coin also shows a section of this motif reflected on the axis. The coin’s fineness is in a round field in the center, surrounded by a ring with the denomination and fineness.

A few more details about the Big Five Elephant gold coin:

Year: 2021
Country of issue: South Africa
Mint: SA Mint
Series: Big Five II.
Motive: Elephant
Weight: 1 oz
Fineness: .999
Face value: 50 Rand
Mintage: 500
Additional: certificate and wooden case