Description
Metal Silver
Purity 0.999 (99.9%)
Weight 1 Troy Ounce (31,1 g)
Diameter 32.61 mm
Attributes Brilliant Uncirculated
Mintage 15000
Packaging Blisterpack and CoA
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. In 2019, the South African Mint introduced the Big 5 coin series which is a multi-year coin program of exquisitely crafted, highly collectable coins that feature the likeness of these majestic creatures.
Issued biannually, the coin range consists of a Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) quality coin struck from 999.9 fine silver and a proof quality version of the same, the latter only available in a double capsule set. The range also includes a 24ct 1oz proof gold coin, a 1oz proof platinum coin as well as two combination sets – the Big 5 Rhino 1oz proof silver Ag 999 and Krugerrand privy marked 1oz proof silver Ag 999 set and the Big 5 Rhino 1oz 24ct proof gold and Krugerrand privy marked 1oz 22ct proof gold set.
For those not lucky enough to have seen a rhino in the wild, the reverse should be of particular interest. It features two halves of the face of the rhino and when two coins are placed next to each other, a complete close-up image of the face of the rhino can be seen. When multiple coins are placed next to each other, a herd of rhinos is formed.
The rhino populations in South Africa are not keeping pace with the current poaching rates, and conservationists continue to fight this battle. During the period of January to June 2019, the number of rhino poached countrywide was 318, only dropping slightly from the 386 rhino killed during the same period in 2018.
“The brazen slaughtering and dehorning of the rhino almost to the brink of extinction has spurred widespread outrage from activists to advocates, but a lot more needs to be achieved on the demand side” says Gerda Janse van Vuuren, Acting Managing Director of the South African Mint.
The South African Mint will partner with the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) during 2020 to support its work. The partnership will see a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Big 5 Rhino coin go towards protecting the decimating populations of rhinos.
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