| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2015 Griqua Town |
|---|
|
South Africa pioneered modern bullion coinage when it first issued the Krugerrand on 3 July 1967 to help market South African gold; it is the first modern bullion coin and is still issued today.
Gradually, the South African Mint started diversifying the range, first by issuing fractional Krugerrands, then by introducing different designs to the gold quarter-ounce (1/4 oz) format. These include the Protea series, the Natura series, as well as one-year types that do not fall into a particular series. The quarter-Krugerrands retain their specifications (22-carat gold) while the other coin series issued after 1994 are 99.99% gold; just as the quarter-Krugerrand though, they contain exactly a quarter ounce of pure gold or 1/4 oz Absolute Gold Weight (0.250 oz AGW).
This coin was issued as part of the circulation and numismatics range to commemorate two hundred years of the Griqua Town coinage. The Griqua coin was originally created as currency for the people of Griqua Town in 1815, and is the first local currency of a South African people.
The coins of the range consist of a circulating commemorative R 5 piece, two silver crowns: one depicting the upper part of the Griqua coin and one depicting its lower part, and a quarter-ounce gold commemorative. |
|
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of South Africa at centre; around above that, the legend SOUTH AFRICA in English.
Around below, the date of issue 2015.
The designer's initials ALS (for Arthur L. Sutherland) are to the left of the Coat of Arms. |
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
The reverse of the R2 ¼ ounce 24 carat gold coin displays a partial image of the obverse of the 1815 coin - a flying dove with an olive branch in its beak - a symbol of the London Missionary Society which established the town.
Above the bird, the face value and denomination R 2 (Two Rand).
Around left, on two lines facing outward, the inscription 1815 · BICENTENNIAL · 2015 and COINAGE OF GRIQUA TOWN along the perimeter of the coin.
Around above, facing the opposite way and in smaller letters, the metal content: 1/4 oz Au 999.9. Au is abbreviated from Aurum, which means "gold" in Latin and is used internationally on gold bullion coinage).
The initials of the reverse die-sinker, PB (for Paul Botes) are below right, before the letter C of COINAGE; the reverse artist is RC Stone. Note that this is not seen on the image supplied by the South African Mint, which is a computer rendering of the design and not a photo of the coin as struck. |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
R 2 1815 · BICENTENNIAL · 2015 COINAGE OF GRIQUA TOWN 1/4 oz Au 999.9 |
|---|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Included in Set |
|---|
Griqua Town Prestige Set 2015, mintage unknown, limited to 200
5 coins: 1/4 oz Gold, Silver Crown - Upper Half, Silver Crown - Lower Half, R5 Proof, R5 Brilliant Uncirculated
|
Griqua Town Gold Set 2015, mintage unknown, limited to 200
3 coins: 1/4 oz Gold, R5 Proof, R5 Brilliant Uncirculated
|
|
Search for South Africa: Gold Quarter Ounce 2015 Griqua Town on eBay 