Gold Kilo 2023 Big Five - Buffalo, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

The South African Mint is one of the pioneers of modern bullion coinage. It started issuing its traditional gold Krugerrand in 1967, and has subsequently expanded its offering both in terms of sizes and metals, and in designs.

The Big Five series started in 2019 with an Elephant design, with a new design issued every six months. The series started its second iteration with the Elephant again, in 2021. 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.

This coin is part of the the Big Five II coin series by the South African Mint, which celebrates Africa’s unique natural heritage by embodying the strength and beauty of the Big Five animals on legal tender coins.

The coins in the series were issued every 6 months, starting with the Elephant and the Lion in 2019, then the Rhino and Leopard in 2020. The Buffalo is the fifth of the ferocious five to be featured in this series - originally in 2021, then re-issued in 2023 with a new design of the obverse, as part of Big Five Series II.

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 buffaloes 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 most dangerous by hunters, which is one of the main reasons why this animal is included into the big five. This characteristic is the origin of many hunting adventures, myths and legends.

For the creation of this coin, the South African Mint credits: Paul Botes (die-sinker), JA Geldenhuys (artist) and RC Stone (designer).