Page 17 - 2020 Booklet

PRIDE OF AFRICA

The Mint showcases South Africa’s unique
biodiversity by issuing the prestigious Big
Five coins twice a year.
“This coin programme celebrates the
tenacity and fierce spirit of Africa’s wildlife,”
says Christine Roux, the Mint’s General
Manager for Sales and Marketing. “They are
the real ‘Born Frees’, and we must endeavour
to preserve this natural heritage for future
generations to venerate.”
Following the successful launch of the
mighty African elephant coin in the Mint’s
previous financial year, the lion coin was
launched in late 2019. Its focal point is the
male lion’s flowing mane and steely gaze,
highlighting the power that the king of the
beasts has in the wild. The release of the Big
Five coins marks the first time in the history
of the Mint that gold bullion coins – other
than the Krugerrand – have been minted.
The range consists of a 1 oz silver proof-
quality lion coin and a 1 oz fine-silver proof
Krugerrand, which bears a special lion privy
mark paying homage to the new wildlife
series. The second set features a single 1 oz
24-ct gold proof lion coin and a 1 oz 22-ct
gold proof Krugerrand coin, also bearing a
special lion privy mark.

15