South Africa 2004 10 rand
This specimen was lot 70302 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, May 2020), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "SOUTH AFRICA. Gold Natura Proof Set (4 Pieces), 2004. South African Mint. All PCGS PROOF-69 Deep Cameo Gold Shield Certified. 1) 100 Rand. 2) 50 Rand. 3) 20 Rand. 4) 10 Rand. Featuring the Caracal--the African lynx--this enticing four piece set offers tremendous brilliance and a deeply mirrored nature. Total AGW = 1.85 oz." 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. As competition for it, the South African government also marketed the Natura series, featuring various animals native to the region. Starting in 2002, the coin was denominated ten rand. The caracal is depicted on this issue of 2004.
Recorded mintage: 1,809.
Specification: 3.11 g, 0.999 fine gold, 16.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 418.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The May 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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