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 African Cape Buffalo is the last of the animals featured in this popular Big 5 coin series since its debut in 2019. African Buffalo are sociable animals with herds of up to several hundred individuals often observed. These herds might splinter into smaller units in times of drought.

Primarily preyed upon by lions, when a herd member is attacked, other Buffalos will rush to its defence. Together a number of buffalo are more than capable to ward off an attack by an entire pride of lions. A wounded buffalo bull is regarded as the most dangerous by hunters, which is one of the main reasons why this animal is included in the big five. This characteristic is the origin of many hunting adventures, myths and legends.

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 fierce side profile of the buffalo, 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 2021
ǃKE E: ǀXARRA ǁKE

Reverse

Depicts two halves of the face of the Cape buffalo. This ingenious design allows for a complete close-up of a buffalo 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 herd of buffalos is formed.

FIVE RAND
1oz
Ag999
PB

Edge

5 Rand

KM#
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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