Big Five III (3.) - Rhino - Double Capsule - Set
2 x 1/4 Oz Gold - Proof

• 3rd Issue in the new Big Five II Series
• Eighth 1/4 Oz gold proof coin in the Big Five Series
• 99.99% pure Gold
• Mintage only 100 sets
• With numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• Delivery in original wooden Box

With the release of the Big Five III Series, the South African Mint continues the success story of a coveted classic. Once again, the Series includes a total of five coins, all dedicated to South Africa's impressive wildlife. The animals known as the "Big Five" - Elephant - Lion - Buffalo - Rhino - Leopard - are considered emblems and ambassadors of this culturally rich country and represent the African fauna.

The 2025 issue is dedicated to the Rhino and published as a Double Capsule Set. This unique set contains twice the third release in the Big Five III Series - each struck from a 1/4 ounce of 99.99% pure gold. The motive features a full-body depiction of a full-grown rhino in dynamic motion. The inscriptions “SOUTH AFRICA”, “BIG FIVE 2025” and the South African coat of arms are also part of the design. The reverse shows two halves of a rhino's head. Placing two of these coins next to each other gives a full close-up portrait of a rhino. When several of these coins are placed next to each other, an entire herd of rhinos appears. In the center are the denomination “FIFTY RAND”, the weight “1/4OZ” and the fineness “Au 999.9”. A special highlight is the delicate engraving of a Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa), symbolizing the importance of an integrated ecological system, in which birds play just as vital a role as larger animals. Widespread across Africa, Malachite Sunbirds are known for their long, slender, downward-curving beaks and brush-tipped tongues, which they use to feed primarily on nectar and insects.

In the vast grasslands and woodland savannas south of the Sahara roam two of Africa’s most iconic mammals - the White Rhinoceros and the Black Rhinoceros. Today, their combined population is estimated at around 25,000 individuals, many of which reside in South Africa’s renowned Kruger National Park. Rhinoceroses are the second-largest land mammals on Earth, surpassed only by elephants. Despite their immense size and weight, they are surprisingly agile and can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. While their eyesight is relatively poor, this is offset by their highly developed sense of smell, which allows them to detect scents over long distances. As strict herbivores, rhinos feed on grasses or shrubs, depending on the species. However, these impressive creatures face increasing threats - especially the Black Rhinoceros, which is now critically endangered. The primary reason is the persistent rise in poaching, which has intensified in recent years despite significant conservation efforts. The strictly limited Big Five III Rhino Gold Set is delivered in a double coin capsule and a noble wooden box. Also included is a numbered certificate of authenticity from the South African Mint.