The Krugerrand gold coin is much sought after by investors because the Krugerrand is globally recognised. This means the coin is highly liquid as a medium of exchange. According to German VAT ruling §25c UStG the buying and selling of all investment gold is VAT exempt. Although the Krugerrand gold coins do have a nominal value they are legal tender in South Africa. The Krugerrand gold coin price is fixed every day at the London Bullion Market.
Weight & Size
OunceGross WeightFine WeightDiameterThickness
1 Ounce 33.93 g 31.10 g 32.69 mm 2.84 mm
1/2 Ounce 16.96 g 15.55 g 27.00 mm 2.24 mm
1/4 Ounce 8.48 g 7.78 g 22.00 mm 1.52 mm
1/10 Ounce 3.39 g 3.11 g 16.50 mm 1.19 mm
Alloy
Krugerrand gold coins are produced in the classical 22 karat alloy. The copper content of the 22 karat alloy gives the Krugerrand the typical red-golden look. The gold content of 91.66% and the copper content of 8.34% make the Krugerrand more durable and resistant to scratches in comparison to gold coins with a purity of 999/1000. As the Krugerrand contains one ounce (31.10 grams) of pure gold the gross weight is 33.93 grams.
Colour changes
The appearance and look of Krugerrand gold coins may vary slightly as the copper oxidizes naturally over time and changes the colour from golden into a more reddish-gold. But because of the colour change Krugerrand coins have a more appealing character and aliveness. These slight colour changes are dependent on moisture and light. An airtight storage container will actually prevent the copper from oxidizing.
Pros and Cons
The pros of Krugerrand gold coins are manifold. Despite all the pros it is important to view the pure gold value of this investment coin as key.
Pros
• Krugerrands are recognised globally
• Krugerrands are traded globally
• The value adjusts according to the gold price movement
• Quick trade in small denominations possible
• Serrated frame as a security property
• Buying price closer to gold price than with other coins (approx. 5%) as Krugerrands get minted in high numbers
• Needs only small space for storage
• One of the most beautiful gold coins in the world
Cons
• Gold bullion trade at lower premiums to the gold price
Krugerrand Appearance
The motif side of the coins shows the portrait of General Paul Kruger (1825 - 1904). He was president of the South African republic Transvaal in the time from 1882 to 1902. To the left and right of Paul Kruger’s portrait show the inscriptions “Suid Afrika” and “South Africa”. The back side of the coin shows the South African national animal the springbok antelope. The inscription “Krugerrand” shows along the outer edge above the animal symbol (fractional sizes show the weight declaration in front of the name “Krugerrand”).
The mintage year shows left and right of the springbok with each two digits. Centred below the springbok the words “Fyngoud 1 OZ Fine Gold” can be read. This inscription may differentiate according to the fractional sizes: 1 ounce, ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, 1/10 ounce. The edge of the red-golden shimmering coin has 180 kerfs which is designed to identify counterfeits more easily. Both sides of the coin each have a ring of dots on the outer edge.
History of the Krugerrand
Origin of the name Krugerrand
The name Krugerrand is composed of two words “Kruger” and “Rand”. The word Kruger originates from the famous South-African Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger. Paul Kruger is of German-Dutch descent and lead Transvaal into independence in the first Boeranian war after it was annexed by Great-Britain in 1877. He was president of the republic of Transvaal in the time from 1882 to 1902. In 1886 gold was found in Witwatersrand which was part of Transvaal back then. Witwatersrand means something like “High ridge with white water”. Witwatersrand gave the name “Rand” to the Krugerrand gold coin. Witwatersrand is until today an important gold mining area. In addition the name of the official currency in South Africa is “Rand”. After gold was found in Witwatersrand Great-Britain had a “great” interest to annex Transvall and Oranje republic into their colony South Africa. After Great-Britain's military victory over the two states the peace of Pretoria was sealed in 1901.
First mintage in 1967
The first Krugerrand gold coin with a fine weight of one (troy-) ounce of gold was minted on 3rd July 1967. Before minting the first coins it was decided to use the more resistant to scratches 22 karat alloy which had been used since 1817 in the British Sovereign coins. The British Coinage Act of 1816 defines the fineness of 22 karat alloys which is 916 ⅔ /1000 in metric terms (+- 2/1000). The Krugerrand gold coins are issued by the South African Mint Company. In the first three years of mintage the annual output was between 30,000 to 50,000 coins which is in today’s standard relatively low. In the time from 1974 to 1984 the annual mintage topped 6 million ounces in 1978. The most Krugerrand coins were minted in this time-frame. A sharp setback in annual output occurred in 1986 due to the racism politics and Krugerrands were banned by the US and Europe. The mintage output started to rise again in 1999 after the ban was lifted. The Krugerrand ban did not affect trade and/or ownership. With the import ban in 1986 the US introduced the “American Gold Eagle”. The Gold Eagle also has a 22 karat alloy but instead of gold and copper the US Mint uses 91.67% Gold, 3% Silver and 5.33% copper. After the import ban in 1999 the annual numbers did not reach 6 million ever again but demand for Krugerrands is very high to this very day. In the time from 2010 to 2012 the 1 oz coin was produced around 700,000 times per year.
Krugerrand Goldcoin Authentication
Weight
The first step of an authentication process is to weigh the gold coin. The gross weight of the Krugerrand is 33.93 grams. These gross weights are valid for the different (fractional) sizes:
OunceGross WeightFineweight Gold
1 oz Krugerrand 33.931 g 31.1 g
1/2 oz Krugerrand 16.965 g 15.55 g
1/ 4 oz Krugerrand 8.483 g 7.78 g
1/10 oz Krugerrand 3.393 g 3.11 g
The weight tolerance is according to the mint 0.2%.
Measuring the Krugerrand
The coin can best be measured with a vernier calliper. Minimal variations may be possible. With measuring the Krugerrand diameter and thickness will be validated.
OunceDiameterThickness
1 oz 32.69 mm 2.84 mm
1/2 oz 27.00 mm 2.24 mm
1/4 oz 22.00 mm 1.52 mm
1/10 oz 16.50 mm 1.19 mm
Alloy identification
Modern technology with X-ray fluorescence analysis identifies the exact amount of each metal in the coin. The Krugerrand coin contains 91.66% gold and 8.23% copper.
Conductivity Measurement
By measuring conductibility the fineness of the Krugerrand gets determined. The 22 karat Krugerrand has a metallic conductivity of approx. 9.69 MS/m.
Ultra Sound Measurement
An ultra sound measurement can prove the authenticity of a Krugerrand coin too. The ultra sound measures the patency of the correct amount of finegold.
Buy Krugerrand gold coins
Krugerrand gold coins can be bought online or with local bullion companies and banks. Price differences may occur with different dealerships as transportation, handling, storage costs and margins vary. There are several aspects to take into consideration before buying Krugerrand gold coins:
• The price for an one ounce gold coins should not exceed 10% of the current gold spot price.
• Manufacturers and dealer costs need to be compared
• The 1 oz Krugerrand is lower in price per gram then compared to the fractional coins ½, ¼ and 1/10 oz coins. The premium is higher with smaller denominational coins than compared to the 1 oz coin.
• The gold price is priced US Dollar and therefore dependent on the Dollar exchange of your currency.
• Logistical and storage costs may widely vary from the different banks and bullion dealerships.
Sell Krugerrand gold coins
Krugerrand coins may be sold easily with any bullion company and bank. When selling Krugerrands to banks there may be a waiting time before you will receive the money back as banks send the coin to an outside assay office to verify its authenticity. Bullion companies are usually able to test Krugerrands in the shop or vault and then pay out the agreed price immediately. Capital gains tax of Krugerrand gold coins does not apply if the purchase was more than one year prior to sale in Germany.
High Value Years
1969 Edition (1 oz Weight)
Introduced in 1967, the Krugerrand was the first official gold bullion coin to be minted by a country for the private investor. The Krugerrand was so successful that by 1980, its had achieved a 90% share of the global gold coin market.
The first three years of mintage were low compared to the yearly mintage numbers in the 1970s. The inaugural 1967 edition was capped at 40,000 coins, and the 1968 and 1969 editions both had a mintage of just 20,000 coins for each year.
Because of the history of the Krugerrand, lower mintage years are starting to become more popular with collectors.
1986 Edition (1 oz Proof)
Due the apartheid policy of the South African Government, a ban was placed on the import of Krugerrands in the 1980s in many parts of the world. As a result, mintage numbers for some years declined. The 1986 edition was only issued in proof quality with a limited mintage of 21,040 coins.
Limited Mintage Years (1987, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2004) (1 oz Weight)
Because of the long history and incredible success of the Krugerrand gold coin programme, it is becoming popular to collect 1 oz Gold Krugerrands by date. While the Krugerrand had many yearly issues that were minted in high numbers, production in some years was low. These limited mintage editions are becoming more popular with collectors.
The limited mintage years are listed below. Some of these yearly issues are difficult to come by and may carry a higher premium because of the potential collector value.
Year - Mintage
1987 - 99,798
1992 - 1,803
1995 - 58,630
1996 - 9,914
1998 - 7,097
2003 - 49,925
2004- 75,261
Please note that the limited mintage years above are approximate numbers and represent mintages for the 1 oz bullion edition.
Anniversary Editions
There are two anniversary editions, both of which commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Krugerrand.
1967 Anniversary Edition (1 oz Weight)
The 1967 anniversary edition had a mintage of just 1,967 coins. The coin has the same traditional Krugerrand design. The only difference is the 50th anniversary privy mark on the reverse side above the Springbok Antelope. The date of issue is marked as “19” and “67” on either side of the antelope.
The 2017 Anniversary Edition (1 oz Weight)
The 2017 anniversary edition had a mintage of 100,000 coins. The 50th anniversary privy mark is located to the right of the Springbok Antelope. The year of issue is 2017 and is split on either side of the Antelope. “20” to the left and “17” on the right.
