South African Mint Company (RF) (Pry) Ltd

Five Rand (R5)

31,107 g

38,725 mm

Fine-silver

3 300 pcs

Obverse die-engraver: Paul Botes. Obverse artist: JA Geldenhuys and RC Stone. Reverse die-engraver: Paul Botes. Reverse artist: JA Geldenhuys and RC Stone

South African Mint Company (RF) (Pry) Ltd

The obverse features a portrait of a buffalo together with the South African coat of arms and the words 'South Africa', the name of the series 'Big 5' and the date the coin was issued in '2021'.

The reverse of the coin features two halves of the face of a buffalo so that when two of the coins are placed next to each other, a complete a close-up image of the face of a buffalo is seen; by placing many of these coins next to each other, a herd of buffalo can be seen.

The denomination 'Five Rand', the mass '1oz' and the fineness 'Ag 999' feature as a central design element within the design of the two halves of and buffalo portrait.

The Big Five Series is introduced for the first time in 2019.

Today, the Big five have become the icons of Africa’s greatest assets – its precious wildlife. Conservation efforts throughout Africa are striving to maintain the delicate ecosystems wherein the animals strive to survive against the ever encroaching march of modern civilization.

African Buffalo are sociable animals with herds of up to several hundred individuals often observed. These herbs might splinter into smaller units in times of drought.

Primarily preyed upon by lions, when a herd member is attacked, others will rush to its defence. Together a number of buffalo are more than capable to ward off an attack by an entire pride of lions. A wounded buffalo bull is regarded as most dangerous by hunters, which is one of the main reasons why this animal is included into the big five. This characteristic is the origin of many hunting adventures, myths and legends.