Collecting by Theme

Big Five Series (2019–)

Elephant, lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo in gold & silver. Split‑face reverse designs. Series III ongoing (2024–2028).

→ Big Five Series

Natura Series (1994–2012)

24kt gold wildlife series with annually changing themes. Four fractional sizes per year. PF69 UCAM examples prized.

→ Natura Series

Birds of South Africa (2018–2022)

12 silver color coins featuring iconic birds. Complete sets: $600–1,200.

→ Birds & Flowers

Flowers of South Africa (2021–2023)

8 silver color coins. King Protea, Blushing Bride, etc. Sets: $400–800.

→ Birds & Flowers

UNESCO Biosphere Series (2015–2022)

Gold & silver coins featuring South Africa's biosphere reserves. Extremely low mintages (gold as low as 31).

→ UNESCO Series

Original Protea Series (1986–2001)

16‑year silver series with changing themes. Key date: 2001 Tourism (mintage 972).

→ Original Protea

ZAR Era (1892–1902)

Coins of the Zuid‑Afrikaansche Republiek. Double shaft errors, Sammy Marks Tickey, Veldpond. Gold and silver date sets.

→ ZAR Hub

Anglo‑Boer War (1899–1902)

Veldpond, siege notes (Mafeking, Kimberley, Ladysmith), concentration camp tokens, POW camp notes (Ceylon).

→ Siege Notes | → Camp Tokens

Mandela Era

11‑year "Life of a Legend" silver series (2013–2024). 2018 centenary medallions (gold, silver, bronze).

→ Mandela Series | → Centenary

Union Period (1923–1960)

Three monarchs, design changes, 1947 Crown. The 90‑coin Bakewell Collection.

→ Union Coinage

Decimal Transition (1961)

Van Riebeeck portrait, bilingual varieties (1965–1969). The last silver R1 coins.

→ Decimal Coins | → Bilingual Varieties

Griqua History

1815‑16 tokens (dove design) and 1868 unissued £1 note – the dramatic story of a currency that never circulated.

→ Griqua Tokens | → Griqua £1 Note

Protea (National Flower)

• Sixpence (1925–1960)
• Original Protea Series (1986–2001)
• Big Five obverse (2019–)

Springbok (National Animal)

• 5 Shillings (1892)
• 50c (1961–1964)
• Krugerrand reverse (1967–)

Coat of Arms

• ZAR coat of arms (1892–1900)
• Union coat of arms (1923–1960)
• Republic coat of arms (1961–)
• Current coat of arms (2000–)

Ships

• Dutch East Indiaman – half penny & penny (1923–1960)
• Dromedaris – 20c (1961–1964)

Kruger Portrait

Otto Schultz's 1892 design appears on ZAR gold and modern Krugerrands – a 130‑year legacy.

Color Coins

Birds (2018–2022) and Flowers (2021–2023) series with applied color.

Gold Coins

• ZAR Ponds (1892–1900)
• Krugerrands (1967–)
• Natura Series (1994–2012)
• Big Five Gold (2019–)
• UNESCO Gold (2015–2022)
• Sammy Marks Tickey (1898)
• Veldpond (1902)
• Burgerspond (1874)

Silver Coins

• ZAR Silver (1892–1897)
• Union Silver (1923–1960)
• Crown & Tickey (2016–)
• Birds & Flowers (2018–2023)
• Mandela "Life of a Legend" (2013–2024)
• Original Protea (1986–2001)
• UNESCO Silver (2015–2022)
• Silver Krugerrands (2017–)

Bi‑Metal Coins

• R5 circulation (2004–)
• Some commemorative issues

Bronze/Copper

• ZAR Penny (1892–1898)
• Union Penny/Half Penny/Farthing (1923–1960)
• Decimal 1c, 2c (1961–1990)