Southafrika Big Five - Elephant 1oz Gold Coin 2025
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
🇿🇦 Big Five Elephant 2025 – 1 oz Gold Coin – South Africa’s Majestic Icon in Masterful Minting
The Big Five Elephant 2025 – 1 oz Gold Coin ranks among the most impressive releases of the South African Mint, uniting nature, symbolism, and artistic mastery in a minting of exceptional presence. Since the beginning of the series, the elephant has been one of its most noble motifs, for no animal represents the vastness of Africa as powerfully as the giant of its savannas. The 2025 edition continues this tradition with a design that is both striking and deeply moving.
The obverse features the elephant in an extraordinary close-up that conveys its full presence. Every wrinkle in its skin, every line of its tusks, and the calm expression in its eyes have been crafted with the utmost precision. The engraving captures not only the physical strength of this animal but also its dignity, serenity, and ancient symbolic meaning. Above the motif is the inscription “SOUTH AFRICA” accompanied by the official coat of arms, confirming authenticity and origin. The composition is balanced, profound, and full of significance — a tribute to an animal that has become the heart of Africa.
The reverse of the coin shows two elephants in a symmetrical depiction, their heads facing each other. This characteristic feature of the Big Five Series creates, when two coins are placed side by side, a complete portrait — one of the most popular design elements in modern South African coinage. At the center lies the value field, framed by the inscription “BIG FIVE 2025” and “1 OZ FINE GOLD 999.9.” The interplay of mirrored and matte surfaces adds an aesthetically and technically impressive depth.
The elephant itself has long been a symbol of wisdom, patience, and inner strength. In African cultures, it is regarded as a guardian of the land — a keeper of memory and community. Its calm presence and strong social structure have made it one of the most meaningful animals on the continent. The coin embraces this symbolism and transforms it into a golden monument that preserves the elephant’s majesty while reminding us of its fragile future.
Struck from 99.99% pure gold, the coin displays a warm, natural luster that gives remarkable depth to its fine engravings. The relief craftsmanship of the South African Mint is renowned worldwide — every contour, shading, and element has been executed with exceptional precision. The artistry is evident in the flowing forms of the elephant’s head as well as in the gentle transitions between light and shadow, which lend the motif an almost lifelike presence.
Its story is rooted in South Africa’s long minting tradition, which began with the famous Krugerrand and took a new artistic direction with the Big Five Series. While the Krugerrand stands for tradition and global recognition, the Big Five Series focuses on the soul of the country — its animals, its nature, its identity. With the elephant as its leading motif, the series highlights a creature that has shaped Africa’s landscapes like no other.
The Big Five Elephant 2025 – 1 oz Gold Coin is far more than a piece of fine gold. It is an expression of African culture, a symbol of the continent’s majestic wildlife, and a showcase of the excellence of modern minting art.
It preserves the power of nature, it honors an animal that commands respect, and it demonstrates how beautifully art and reality can merge.
This coin is a golden portrait of Africa’s soul — created to endure, to inspire, and to be remembered.
| 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 | 2025 |
| Condition | Uncirculated |
| Face value | 50 Rand |
| Diameter | 32.69 mm |
| Packaging | Single in Pouch |
| Packaging Unit | 10 per tube |