Rare opportunity to grab SA Mint’s first silver Natura coin

Centurion, South Africa, November 2018: The South African Mint, a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank in a departure from tradition has announced its first ever Natura coin in fine silver. The Natura series, first minted in 1994, has never been produced in any other metal besides gold in its 25 year history. The Natura is one of the Mint’s longest running coin programs and has attracted high interest amongst investors and collectors.

In September, the SA Mint had launched its five-coin Natura Palaeontology Collection in 24 carat gold bringing to life the ‘Archosauria’ – crocodiles, pterosaurs, dinosaurs and birds or the ruling reptiles that roamed and soared freely in Southern Africa some 200 million years ago. The series was aptly named ‘Rise of the dinosaurs – Archosauria’

The silver Natura keeps the theme underscoring the importance of the period in the continent’s history. The birds and crocodilians that exist today are the only remaining descendants that provide a glimpse to the glorious past of the archosaurs. Originating approximately 250 million years ago, the Archosauria became one of the most diverse and successful vertebrates on earth.

The silver Natura features the poster child of all archosaurs, the dinosaur.

Tumi Tsehlo, MD, South African Mint says, “There were two important considerations in announcing the Natura in silver, one, the metal is affordable, and the finish and sheen we can achieve makes it immediately desirable and secondly, at that price point, we can bring in more hobbyists into our fold.”

“Furthermore, our products have a stellar reputation for quality making them more appealing.”

The Karoo basin in South Africa provides a historical record of biological change over the end-Permian (252 million years ago) and the end-Triassic (200 million years ago). While palaeontologists remain divided on exactly which of the archosaurs is the ancestor of dinosaurs, it is likely that the dinosaurian ancestor was similar to Euparkeria, a small archosaur that is well known to the region.

The fine silver Natura coin depicts the Archosauriform together with its scientific name ‘Euparkeria’, the word ‘Natura’, the denomination R25, and the mass and metal value of the coin. The obverse features the words ‘The rise of the dinosaurs’, ‘Archosauris’ and the year 2019 written as roman numerals ‘MMXIX’. Also shown is the fossilised skull, neck and shoulder of an Erythrosuchus africanus.

“It is no surprise that we have chosen to feature the Archosauria – Euparkeria on the maiden silver offering. Investors and collectors have a rare opportunity to own the first ever silver Natura coin and a reminder of SA’s unique place in the evolutionary history of the dinosaurs, ” adds Tsehlo in conclusion.

About the South African Mint: The South African Mint is the continent’s leading manufacturer of legal coin tender, as well as commemorative and rare collectible coins. With over 100 years’ experience in supplying symbols of value to the African and global markets, we pride ourselves in delivering products that represent our commitment to uniquely African design and supreme craftsmanship. We collaborate closely with our customers to develop distinct and durable monetary products that capture and preserve the heritage and pride of a nation. The South African Mint is a wholly owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), established in accordance with the SARB Act.