Big Five III (5.) - Buffalo - 2026
1/4 Oz Gold - Proof

• 5th and final Issue in the new Big Five III Series
• Tenth 1/4 Oz gold proof issue
• 99.99% pure Gold
• Mintage only 2,000 pieces worldwide
• With numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• Delivery in original Box

The South African Mint presents the new Big Five III Series and is continuing the success story of a coveted classic. The South African Mint's Big Five coins are among the most sought-after issues in the world. The Series also contains five coins and shows the impressive wildlife of South Africa. The animals known as the “Big Five” - elephant - lion - buffalo - rhinoceros - leopard - are regarded as emblems and ambassadors of this culturally rich country and represent the African fauna.

The fifth and final issue of the new series is the second 1/4 Oz gold proof Buffalo ever released. The motive features a full-body depiction of an adult buffalo in a powerful and dynamic stance. The inscriptions “SOUTH AFRICA”, “BIG FIVE 2026” and the South African coat of arms are also part of the design. The reverse shows two halves of a buffalo's head. Placing two of these coins next to each other gives a full close-up portrait of a buffalo. When several of these coins are placed next to each other, an entire buffalo herd appears. In the center are the denomination “FIFTY RAND”, the weight “1/4OZ” and the fineness “Au 999.9”. A delicate engraving of the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) refers to the principle of integrated ecology. In many African landscapes, the bird accompanies large grazing animals such as cattle or buffalo and feeds on insects stirred up by their movement. In this way, the cattle egret symbolically represents the subtle interplay between wildlife, habitat, and natural balance.

The Cape or African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a typical grazer. It lives in herds of a few dozen to hundreds of animals and prefers swampy areas and shaded grasslands near water. Particularly characteristic for the buffalo are its sweeping, curved horns, which can reach a span of up to 1.50 meters. As a "Big Five" member, the buffalo was formerly hunted on big-game hunts and severely decimated, so that the species almost became extinct - in the meantime, however, the populations have recovered. The limited Big Five III Buffalo gold coin in proof quality is limited to only 2,000 pieces worldwide and will be delivered in the original box including a numbered certificate of authenticity from the South African Mint.