Silver Ounce 2016 White Shark, 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 and metals, such as a silver one-ounce (1 oz) format. These include silver 1 oz Krugerrands, the Protea series, the Natura series, as well as one-year types that do not fall into a particular series. Initially they were made of Sterling silver (92.5%), but this later changed to 99.9% silver; the Sterling versions are overall heavier though, so they also contain exactly one ounce of pure silver or 1oz Absolute Silver Weight (1.000 oz ASW).

This coin featuring a Great White Shark is part of the 2016 Marine Protected Areas coin series by the South African Mint, consisting of four sterling-silver bullion coins of different sizes, with composition of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

South Africa has an intricate network of marine protected areas (MPAs), designed to conserve the country’s offshore biodiversity. To this end, the South African Mint created the Marine Protected Areas collectable coin series in 2013.

The 2016 collection celebrates the beauty and diversity of the MPA within the South-Western Cape Bioregion (West Coast Bioregion) by showcasing its most iconic species.

The iconic great white shark propels itself out of the water on the 20c (1 oz) coin. Their curiosity and intelligence, complex social interactions, and sophisticated predatory behaviour have inspired concentrated research, resulting in greater understanding. Consequently, more focused conservation efforts have been implemented in South African coastal waters to protect this once maligned marine hunter.

The 50c (2 oz) coin portrays the eight-tentacled master of camouflage: the common octopus. The endangered African penguin is portrayed on the 10c (half-ounce) coin, and the West Coast rock lobster is featured on the 5c (quarter-ounce) coin.