Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant, Coin from South Africa

Coin	Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant

South Africa pioneered modern bullion coinage when it first issued the gold 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 and metals, such as a silver five-ounce (5 oz) format. The coins contain exactly five ounces of pure silver, or 5oz Absolute Silver Weight (5.000 oz ASW).

This is the first design in the Big Five II 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. This coin is also the first five-ounces silver coin issued by the South African Mint.

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. The series started in 2019 with the Elephant, with a new design issued every six months; its second edition started again with the Elephant in 2021.

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

Mint	South African Mint	Mint Mark	No mint mark	Total Mintage	500

Obverse

Most of the surface area of the obverse is taken by a close-up front view of an African elephant, with its ears flared and trunk and tusks dominant.

Below, surrounded by two curved ornaments reminiscent of ivory tusks, the legend SOUTH AFRICA is separated from the inscription BIG FIVE 2021 by a small Coat of Arms of South Africa.

Obverse Inscription	SOUTH AFRICA BIG FIVE 2021

Reverse

The reverse of the elephant coin bears the ingenious design of two halves of an elephant’s face, side-by-side. The ear, tusk, eyes, and part of the nose of each of these halves are prominent in this design, which gives one complete face when two coins are placed next to each other. When multiple coins are placed next to each other, a herd is formed.

In a small circle at centre, the mass of the coin 5 OZ is surrounded by its face value FIVE RAND above and the composition Ag 999 below (Ag is abbreviated from Argentum, which means "silver" in Latin and is used internationally on silver bullion coinage).

Near the lowest part of the rim, small letters PB represent the initials of the die-sinker (engraver) Paul Botes.

Reverse Inscription	FIVE RAND 5 OZ Ag 999

Edge	Milled	Edge Inscription	None

Notes	Silver content (troy oz): 5.000 Finish: proof. Packaging: in presentation box, with Certificate of Authenticity.

All (2) coins of type: Silver Five Ounces (5 oz)

Coin Name	Mintage	Symbol	Legend
Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant	500	Coat of Arms of South Africa	SOUTH AFRICA BIG FIVE 2021
Silver Five Ounces 2022 Big Five - Lion	500	Coat of Arms of South Africa	SOUTH AFRICA BIG FIVE 2022

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Royal Mint

Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant: Details

Country	South Africa
Currency	Rand
Coin Type	Silver Five Ounces (5 oz)
Issued	2021
Symbol	Coat of Arms of South Africa
Face Value	5 (x Rand)
Total Mintage	500
Current	Yes
Material	0.999 Silver
Designer	P Botes, JA Geldenhuys, RC Stone
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size	64.000 mm
Mass	155.500 g
OCC ID	YRVP-EVRC-WXKA-EDQG

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Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant: Photos

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	Coin, South Africa, Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant Copyright: South African Mint Source
	Coin, South Africa, Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant Copyright: South African Mint Source
	Coin, South Africa, Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant Copyright: South African Mint Source
	Coin, South Africa, Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant Copyright: South African Mint Source
	Coin, South Africa, Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant Copyright: South African Mint Source

Relevant Links

Elephant - 5 Oz - Big Five II. | EMK.com

Silver Five Ounces 2021 Big Five - Elephant, Coin from South Africa - detailed information