1kg, South Africa, 2024, Silver, Big Five III - Elephant

South Africa made numismatic history with the release of the gold Krugerrand on 3 July 1967, created to promote South African gold to international markets. As the world’s first modern bullion coin, the Krugerrand established a global benchmark—and it remains in production today.  Over time, the South African Mint expanded the Krugerrand range by introducing fractional denominations and experimenting with new metals and formats, including a 5 oz silver version. These coins contain exactly five troy ounces of pure silver, officially classified as 5.000 oz Absolute Silver Weight (ASW).

Big Five III: Celebrating Africa’s Iconic Wildlife

This coin marks the first release in the Big Five Series III, the third edition of the South African Mint’s acclaimed wildlife-themed series. It pays tribute to Africa’s remarkable natural heritage by portraying the strength and majesty of the Big Five animals on legal tender.The term “Big Five” originated with 19th- and early 20th-century big game hunters, who referred to the Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, and Buffalo as the most dangerous and challenging animals to hunt on foot.   The Big Five coin series began in 2019 with the Elephant, followed by new animal designs released at six-month intervals. The second edition, launched in 2021, restarted the cycle with an updated Elephant design. This coin forms part of the first release in the third iteration, Big Five III, featuring a refreshed obverse design that distinguishes it from previous issues.

The design credits for this release go to:

• Paul Botes – Die-sinker / Engraver
• J.A. Geldenhuys – Artist
• R.C. Stone – Designer

Coin Specifications:

The coin is issued in Proof grade only