Gold Quarter Ounce 2016 Hyena, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

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 is part of the Natura series by the South African Mint. A new theme in the series, Nocturnal hunters, was introduced in 2014. The first predator to feature on the coins was the leopard, followed by the black-backed jackal in 2015. The year 2016 saw the final addition to this theme: the spotted (or laughing) hyena (Crocuta crocuta).

The hyena has an extensive vocal range: whoops, fast whoops, grunts, groans, lows, giggles, yells, growls, soft grunt-laughs, whines and soft squeals. Its loud "who-oop" call and its unusual laughter are one of the most recognisable sounds of the African bush at night. The pitch of the laugh indicates the hyena’s age, while variations in the frequency of notes convey information about its social rank. Hyenas can run at speeds of up to 60 km/h and have good hearing and sharp eyesight at night. The female is larger than the male and dominates the pack. There is a very strong hierarchy, especially when they are feeding.

Unlike other coins featuring wildlife - which normally have an animal on the reverse only - the coins of this series have a common obverse which also features a hyena. The reverses a different, and each of the four pure-gold coins depicts a different aspect of the hyena’s behaviour.

The R20 (1/4 oz) coin portrays a pair of feeding hyenas. Although primarily a hunter, the hyena also scavenges.

All coins of the series were designed and engraved by MJ Scheepers.