Description

The South African Mint celebrates Africa’s unique natural heritage by embodying the strength and beauty of the Big Five in this new series of fine-silver brilliant uncirculated legal tender coins.

The coins are issued every 6 months, starting with the Elephant and the Lion in 2019. The Leopard is the third of the ferocious 5 to be featured in this series. They are the most mysterious and subtle of all the big cats, and their strength enables them to easily drag the body of a large kill onto a tree to protect the carcass from scavengers like hyenas. Their diet sometimes includes fish as they are good swimmers.

Most leopards are light, golden coloured and covered in dark spots referred to as rosettes because of their shape. They are solitary animals; males and females only spend a brief time together while mating, and thereafter go their separate ways again leaving the female to raise the cubs on her own.

The “Big Five” term originated when big game hunters visited the shores of Africa to shoot for trophies, and locals warned them about the five most dangerous animals in Africa: the Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, and Buffalo.

Sets:
• Big Five 2 coin set: 1 oz Silver 5 Rand animal (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo) and 1 oz Silver Krugerrand with the corresponding animal privy mark
• 2021 Complete 5 coin set: 2019 1 oz Silver - Elephant and Lion, 2020 1 oz Silver - Rhino and Leopard, 1 oz Silver 2021 - Buffalo

Artist: J. A. Geldenhuys
Designer: R. C. Stone
Engraver: P. Botes

Obverse

Depicts the cunning side profile of the leopard, which fills up much of the surface area of the coin. The country name, the series title "Big 5" and the issue date appear below the image, with South Africa’s national coat-of-arms in the centre.

The Coat of Arms has many elements organized into two oval groups, one on top of the other. Together the two ovals create a symbol of infinity. At the base is the motto "Diverse People Unite" written in the Khoisan language of the ǀXam people.

SOUTH AFRICA BIG FIVE 2020
ǃKE E: ǀXARRA ǁKE

Reverse

Depicts two halves of the leopard’s face, detailing its eyes, nose and whiskers. This ingenious design allows for a complete close-up of a leopard to be seen only when two of the coins are placed next to each other (as seen in the double-capsule Proof set). When multiple coins are placed next to each other, a leap is formed.

FIVE RAND
1oz
Ag999
PB

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 31.107 g
Diameter 38.725 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
South African Mint (SA Mint)

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