South Africa 2006 20 rand
This specimen was lot 75380 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2022), where it sold for $576. The catalog description[1] noted, "SOUTH AFRICA. 20 Rand, 2006. Natura Series, Giraffe. NGC PROOF-70 Ultra Cameo. This beautiful proof offers entrancingly intricate frosting on the devices and a sharp cameo contrast. A fine example of the attractiveness of modern issues." 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 20 rand for the quarter ounce. The giraffe is depicted on this issue of 2006.
Recorded mintage: unknown, all proofs.
Specification: 7.77 g, 0.999 fine gold, .250 troy oz AGW, 22 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-B12; KM-427.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The February 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins, Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- 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.
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