Giants of Africa - The Eland

In 2005 the Natura gold coins featured the first theme in the 'Giants of Africa' series, the Hippopotamus. The Hippopotamus was followed by the Giraffe in 2006. In 2007, the Eland (Taurotragus oryx), will be depicted as the largest antelope in South Africa.An Eland bull can weigh up to 900kg and can grow to a shoulder height of 1.7 metres. In spite of its heavy physique, Eland are remarkably agile and large bulls can easily jump over regular fences. They have a slight hump at the shoulders and a prominent dewlap. The heavy horns of both sexes slant backwards and can grow to a length of 1 metre. Females weigh only about 450 kilograms. As they grow older their colour changes from a tawny colour to grey. The male has a tuft of hair on the forehead. With age this tuft changes colour from dark brown to black. They also have distinctive faint vertical white stripes on their flanks. The Eland is a browser, utilising a wide diversity of plant sepcies. It can exist for a long period without open water, but is then reliant on fruits like tsamma melon and the Gemsbok cucumber to meet its water requirements. They will also eat young grass especially after it has been burnt and new green shoots appear. The Eland are gregarious and occur in herds of up to 200 during mating season. Normally they run in herds of about 60-70 animals. Old bulls split from the herd and remain solitary. Although the Eland does not have a specific breeding season, in South Africa it has been noted that there are peak months when significantly more calves are born than in other months. A single calf is born after a gestation period of approximately nine month. Calves can run with the herd a few hours after birth. Depictions of Eland are common in Bushman rock paintings throughout South Africa. Ancient rock art sheds light on the trance experiences of Bushman shamans (medicine men). When shamans painted an Eland, they did not just pay homage to a sacred animal; their rock paintings showed how hunters gained power from the animals that they killed.To the Bushmen the Eland was not just an important source of nourishmen, they believed it had supernatural potency. 

Natura Coin Specifications

Prestige Set

Limited Edition: 700

The Natura prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either 'Kiaat' or 'Imbuya' wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name 'Natura Prestige Set' as well as the year '2007' and the individual number of the set. Each set issued has an individuallly numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coins made by the South African Mint Company. 

Proof Set 

Limited Edition: 1000

The Natura Proof Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a dark green leatherette box. Each set issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coins made by the South African Mint Company.Single Coins

Single Coins

1 oz (R100) - Limited Edition: 1500

1/2 oz (50) - Limited Edition: 1500

1/4 oz (R20) - Limited Edition: 3000

1/10 oz (R10) - Limited Edition: 3000

Each single Natura coin (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) is packaged in a dark green leatherette box. Each coin issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coin made by the South African Mint Company.

Certificate of Authenticity

EAch coin and coin set issued by the South African Mint Company has a Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate describes the coin's specifications, the year, the limited edition as well as a short description of the product. It also depicts the signature of the South African Mint's Managing Director, Mr Andile Mvinjelwa. To prevent the duplication of a South African Mint Product, the Certificates are re-designed each year to include the coin esign and each certificate is individually numbered according to the limited edition of the coin or set. As another security measure, the South African Mint's logo, which is printed in transparent ink and only visible under ultra-violet light, features as part of the layout.