South Africa Big Five - Elephant 1 oz Gold Coin 2022
Rand Refinery
Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd, located in Germiston, South Africa, was founded in 1920 by the Chamber of Mines. It is the world’s largest integrated single-site precious metals refinery and smelter. The refinery processes raw gold to a minimum purity of 99.5%, used for bars or as material for Krugerrand coins. It plays a central role in the global gold market. Rand Refinery is one of only five LBMA Good Delivery Referees, guaranteeing top standards in quality, purity, and sourcing.
GPSR: Rand Refinery Limited
P.O. Box 565
1400 Germiston, South Africa
gold@gold.co.za
+27 (011) 418-9000
🇿🇦 South Africa Big Five – Elephant 2022 – 1 oz Gold Coin – Natural and Cultural Symbol in a Calm Depiction
The South Africa Big Five – Elephant 2022 – 1 oz gold coin is part of a series that depicts Africa’s famous large game animals in a clear, concentrated form, giving them a quiet, objective presence. The elephant, chosen as a symbol of strength, permanence, and natural dignity, does not appear in a dramatic scene but in a calm, balanced composition that shows form, material, and motif in harmonious balance. Struck in gold, this issue unfolds its effect through warm luster, clear lines, and careful minting craftsmanship without superfluous effects.
The obverse shows the portrait of the respective head of state or the national emblem of South Africa, objectively and evenly modeled with clear line work. The depiction appears orderly and calm, without decorative exaggeration. Surrounding it are the details of the issuing country, the denomination, and the year of issue 2022. The lettering is evenly set and subordinates itself to the generous gold surface, so that portrait or emblem, inscription, and material stand in a calm, orderly relationship. The warm gold reflects light softly and evenly, emphasizing the objective presence of the depiction.
The reverse shows the Big Five elephant motif in a concentrated, clear form. The elephant is depicted in a calm posture; its massive build, the contoured lines of the body, and the expressive stillness of its presence are modeled without dramatic movement. This objective execution focuses on the essential characteristics of the animal: powerful physique, distinctive contours, and an open, clearly structured pictorial space. The motif deliberately avoids narrative scenes or decorative elements, so that the elephant appears as a closed image whose effect arises from inner calm and formal clarity.
Embedded into the reverse are the details of 1 oz weight and 9999 gold, discreetly integrated into the surface and clearly legible. These value specifications subordinate themselves to the overall image and do not disturb the calm overall impression. The relief work is finely balanced; light glides softly across the surface and creates subtle depth without forming harsh contrasts. The interplay of matte and lightly polished areas produces a gentle sculptural effect that makes the motif appear clear without creating visual unrest.
The 1 oz denomination provides the motif with ample space to perceive details of the depiction without overloading the overall composition. The gold appears in a warm, even luster that emphasizes the precision of the minting work. The surface looks uniform and calm; the relief heights are distinct, yet not overstated. Light glides evenly across the surface and reinforces the impression of order and balance. The rim is cleanly finished and integrates unobtrusively into the overall design, without asserting itself visually.
The design deliberately avoids narrative scenes or dramatic effects. Instead, it presents the elephant as a closed, calm image—carried by objectivity, formal calm, and the material presence. This reduced, orderly composition leaves room for individual associations, without narrative prescriptions or superfluous elements.
The South Africa Big Five – Elephant 2022 – 1 oz gold coin unites symbolic depth, precise minting craftsmanship, and the quiet presence of gold into a balanced numismatic image. It presents a classic nature motif in a concentrated, calm depiction—struck in gold and carried by structure, clarity, and deliberate restraint.
| Metal | Gold |
| Form | Gold Coin |
| Country of Origin | South Africa |
| Manufacturer | Rand Refinery |
| Series | Südafrika Big Five |
| Purity | 999.9/1000 |
| Fineweight | 31.10 gram |
| Gross Weight | 31.10 gram |
| Denomination (oz) | 1 oz |
| Year of issue | 2022 |
| Condition | Uncirculated |
| Face value | 50 Rand |
| Diameter | 32.69 mm |
| Packaging | Single in Pouch |
| Packaging Unit | 10 per tube |