South Africa 2001 ounce
This specimen was lot 31178 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $3,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "South Africa: Republic gold Proof "Gemsbok" Ounce 2001 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC, Pretoria mint. This Natura issue depicts the gemsbok, a large antelope native to South Africa, known for its long, straight horns. While not as rare as others from this series, this example is visually stunning and shows only 4 coins finer at NGC. From the Paramount Collection." South Africa, after a turbulent history between English and Dutch settlers and the native population, was constituted the Union of South Africa in 1910. Coinage commenced in 1923. The krugerrand was introduced in 1967 as a one ounce gold bullion coin and was very popular around the world despite bearing the effigy of Paul Kruger, the chief exponent of apartheid. The white supremacist regime was ousted in 1989 but, amazingly enough, the krugerrand remains in production, tho in much reduced numbers. As competition for it, the South African government also marketed the Natura series, featuring various animals native to the region.
Recorded mintage: 3,104.
Specification: 31.105 g, 0.999 fine gold, AGW 1.000 oz.
Catalog reference: KM 267, Fr-B10.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
- Hern, Brian, John Bothma and Hercie Pieterse, Hern's Handbook on South African Coins & Patterns, Ferndale, South Africa, 2013.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins: Signature Auction 3096, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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