Catalog
50 Rand Big Five Series II; Buffalo
| Issuer | South African Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 50 Rand 50 ZAR = RSD 311 |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | A finely detailed high-relief effigy of an African Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) occupies the central field, depicting the animal's head and powerful horns in a three-quarter facing right perspective against a deeply mirrored proof background. The South African coat of arms, featuring the secretary bird displayed, is rendered in a circular cartouche at the lower centre of the field. The legend 'SOUTH AFRICA' curves along the lower left rim and 'BIG FIVE 2023' along the lower right rim, both in raised Latin characters separated by the coat of arms device. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | SOUTH AFRICA BIG FIVE 2023 |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
The Big Five Series II continues the South African Mint's strategy of issuing bullion-adjacent collector coins tied to the country's wildlife iconography — a market segment that has grown substantially since the Krugerrand's dominance was challenged by fractional and thematic issues in the 1990s. The buffalo, often considered the most dangerous of the five, generates consistent secondary market demand among both regional collectors and international wildlife coin specialists.
At one troy ounce of .9999 fine gold, this sits in direct competition with the Canadian Maple Leaf and Australian Lunar series for collector-bullion crossover buyers.