Buy South African Mint Coins

In 1884, Jan Gerrit Bantjes found gold on a farm in South Africa. Several other similar discoveries followed, but no one discovered a major gold reef until George Harrison in 1886. This discovery was the impetus that culminated in the creation of the South African Mint. The South African Mint, or SA Mint, manufactures circulating currency on behalf of the South African Reserve Bank. The South African Mint also supplies coins to other nations that do not have major official mints of their own.

Although the mint began as a government entity, the South African government privatized it in 1981 as part of a major divestment effort. Now based in Centurion, Gauteng province, near Pretoria, it manufactures some of the finest gold and silver bullion products in the world today.

Brief History Of South African Mint

Paul Kruger, the president of South Africa at the time, proposed that South Africa should have its own currency. Consequently, a mint was erected in 1892, with Otto Schultz, a renowned coin engraver, designing the first South African coins.

However, after a fierce Anglo-Boer War, British troops occupied Pretoria in 1900, creating British legal tender in parts of South Africa. Further expansion led to the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Immediately after this, the British currency became the only accepted currency in South Africa.

During this upheaval, a makeshift minting facility was set up inside an abandoned gold mine. A rudimentary fly press and soft hand-cut dies were used to produce the famous "veldponde" or "field pound" coins, which are still treasured pieces of South African history. These coins mark the struggle of the Boers as they fought against the overwhelming power of British troops.

The Mint Act of 1919 authorized the creation of a branch of the British Royal Mint in Pretoria. This newly formed mint began minting sterling coins in 1923.

However, after South Africa gained independence from British rule in 1931, there were increasing cries for the independence of South African Minting facilities. Therefore, the Royal Mint severed ties with its South African branch in 1941, creating the famous mint, which we all know today as the South African Mint.

Although South Africa had the national mint under its direct control and also became independent from Great Britain, the pound sterling continued as legal tender until 1961. That year, South Africa proclaimed a republic & launched a new monetary system.

Current  South African Mint

The South African Mint moved to its current location at Centurion in 1992. It now houses some of the most advanced technology in the world of precious metal bullion coin production. In fact, it is considered one of the most advanced mints in the world, a title it certainly deserves considering the superior quality of its gold and silver bullion products.

Although the primary purpose of the South African Mint remains to create circulating currency for South Africa, its large minting capacity and advanced technology allow it to release bullion products for numismatics, as well as minting circulating currency for smaller nations.

The numismatic division of the South African Mint is renowned for its premium gold and silver coins, specifically aimed at collectors who appreciate fine craftsmanship, the purity of precious metals, and elegant designs.

In 1996, the South African Mint opened its first coin retail outlet and museum right next to its minting facility at Centurion called Coin World.

A guide leads visitors through the building, explaining the Mint's history as people walk through various exhibits showcasing South African coins, working minting machinery, artwork, and antique furniture, which are related to the Mint in one way or another. In fact, visitors can also mint their own proof coin using 'Oom Paul', one of the world's oldest working mint presses, one of only two imported from Germany in 1892. Between 1892 and 1900, the two ' Oom Paul' presses together minted more than 8 million coins.

The retail store in the building houses several famous coins, such as Krugerrands, as well as jewelry, souvenirs, and other collectibles.

Popular Mint Products

Gold Krugerrands

Very few bullion coins can match the popularity of the Gold Krugerrands Coin. In fact, for a brief period (1967 - 1979), the gold Krugerrand was the only gold bullion coin in the world. Although its most popular variant remains the 1-ounce gold coin, the South African Mint also releases ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, and 1/10 ounce coins.

Each coin is struck from 0.9167 (22 karats) fine gold. Even though these gold bullion coins are minted by a government mint, they are one of the few coins that do not have any legal tender value.

The obverse of these coins features the impressive depiction of Paul Kruger by artist Otto Schultz, the same designer who created the first South African coin designs under President Kruger.

On the reverses is the elegant representation of the Springbok antelope. This herbivore is native to South Africa and is known for "pronking," that is, being able to perform multiple jumps in the air, which gives these antelope their name.

Silver Krugerrands

In 2017, the South African Mint released the first one-ounce silver Krugerrand coin to honor and celebrate the Mint's 50 years of success.

The coin’s release was a worldwide success and the uncirculated premium coin did not disappoint silver collectors and investors when it came to its design, quality, and craftsmanship. Today, it stands as one of the most distinguished silver coins in the industry.

Big Five

The South African Mint launched a Big Five coin series, featuring the wildlife that flourishes in South Africa. The Big Five series features an elephant, lion, rhino, leopard, and buffalo. The first coin in the series, exhibited at the World Money Fair in Berlin in February 2019, features an impressive design of a mighty African elephant.

The Big Five has always been associated with the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and today, the term is used to describe the five African animals that are must-see attractions for any visiting tourist. Sadly, all five animals are endangered, so the hope is that this coin collection will draw more attention to their plight.

Technological Production

Like all businesses, they have had to adapt to new technology but have never turned their backs on traditional practices, making use of tried and true modeling and sinking practices. New technology may help mints move faster, but the South African Mint remains dedicated to its faith in skill and craftsmanship.

The South African Mint has a strong history of attractive coins. While they produce the gold Krugerrand, often considered one of the most beautiful gold coins in the world, they also won the Krause Publications Gold Coin of the Year award for their 2009 R100 gold white rhino coin. Exceptional quality combined with high purity makes South African Mint gold coins a world favorite.

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