Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok, Coin from South Africa - detailed information

Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok, Coin from South Africa
CoinGold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok

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. The gold twentieth-ounce (1/20th oz) format is a mini-coin introduced in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the range. The format has been subsequently used for other coins, such as the Natura series. The twentieth-Krugerrands retain their specifications (22-carat gold) while the other coins are 99.99% gold; just as the 1/20 Krugerrand though, they contain exactly one twentieth of an ounce of pure gold or 1/20 oz Absolute Gold Weight (0.050 oz AGW).

This coin features a Springbok - South Africa's national animal - and is part of the Natura coin series by the South African Mint, which celebrates Africa’s unique natural heritage.

The pure-gold Natura series, having ended the "Noctrurnal Hunters" theme in 2016, honours the golden jubilee of the Krugerrand with original springbok designs created by South African sculptor Coert Steynberg (7 January 1905 - 28 July 1982) in 1946/47. Steynberg’s springbok designs were used for the final - and current - design we have come to associate with the springbok.

The reverses of the 2017 Natura coins bear conceptual drawings which were originally submitted for the 5 shilling coin from 1947, over five coins. The Springbok is depicted in various states of motion, while a pair of springboks are depicted on the ½ oz coin. All coins are in Proof FDC grade.

The Natura, traditionally a series of four gold coins, for the first time in 2017 boasts a new size in the form of the 1/20 oz coin.

MintSouth African Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage2,300
Obverse
South Africa / Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok - obverse photo

The obverse, common for all the coins of the 2017 Natura gold series, bears a close-up depiction of a Springbok antelope’s head and body, not showing the legs.

Around right, the legend and the date: SOUTH AFRICA · 2017.

Obverse Inscription SOUTH AFRICA · 2017
Reverse
South Africa / Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok - reverse photo

The reverse of the coin shows a Springbok, the national animal of South Africa. The design was one of the original drawings by Coert Steynberg for the pre-decimal five shilling coin, and later the Krugerrand range.

Around, the inscription specifies the value and denomination, the coin series, the anniversary information, and the metal content: R 5 · NATURA · COERT STEYNBERG · 1947 - 2017 · 1/20 OZ Au 999.9. Au is abbreviated from Aurum, which means "gold" in Latin and is used internationally on gold bullion coinage).

Note that the coin has face value of Five Rand, unlike the Twentieth-Krugerrand whose value is not fixed.

Reverse Inscription R 5 · NATURA · COERT STEYNBERG · 1947 - 2017 · 1/20 OZ Au 999.9
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

1,500 individually boxed coins, plus 800 in sets.

Issued in Set
2017 Natura Prestige Set, mintage unknown, limited to 800
5 coins: 1 oz Gold, 1/2 oz Gold, 1/4 oz Gold, 1/10 oz Gold, 1/20 oz Gold
Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok: References to Information Used
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok: Details
CountrySouth Africa
CurrencyRand
Coin TypeGold Twentieth-Ounce (1/20 oz)
Issued2017
Face ValueVaries (x Rand)
Total Mintage2,300
CurrentYes
Material0.9999 Gold
DesignerCoert Steynberg
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size12.0000 mm
Mass1.5550 g
OCC IDANMQ-OPYC-VRVL-EJYG
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Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2017 Springbok: Photos
ImageDetails
Krugerrand - Natura Springbock - 1/20 Oz 2017
Copyright: South African Mint
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