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50c [2 oz] |
20c [1 oz] |
10c [1/2 oz] |
5c[l/4oz] |
| Mass: |
76.252 gram |
33.626 gram |
16.813 gram |
8.406 gram |
| Diameter: |
50 mm |
38.725 mm |
32.70 mm |
27 mm |
| Metal Cotent: |
Ag 925 Cu 75 |
Ag 925 Cu 75 |
Ag 925 Cu 75 |
Ag 925 Cu 75 |
| Obverse Die-Sinker: |
AL Sutherland |
AL Sutherland |
AL Sutherland |
AL Sutherland |
| Reverse Die-Sinker: |
J Steyn |
C Moses |
A Minnie |
MJ Scheepers |
| Reverse Artist: |
L Guerra |
L Guerra |
L Guerra |
L Guerra |
| Limited Edition: |
700 |
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The Wildlife silver coin collection was first introduced in the year 2000. The first of the Big 5 to be depicted was the "Lion - Predator of Africa", followed by the "Buffalo - Power of Africa" in 2001 and the "Elephant - Strength of Africa" in 2002. The "Rhinoceros - Survivor of Africa" is the fourth member of the Big 5 to be minted in silver.
Rhinos first evolved over 40 million years ago from animals that looked similar to tapirs. Prehistoric ancestors of the rhinoceros include Indricotherium and Paraceratherium, hornless giants that may have weighed up to 20 tons, making them amongst the largest mammals ever to have lived. Today five species of Rhinoceros roam the earth and all are considered to be amongst the world's most endangered and vulnerable creatures.
Of these five species both the southern African white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) and the Southern African black rhino [Diceros bicornis minor] are featured on the 2003 Wildlife coin series. Different scenes from a rhino's life are depicted on the coin reverses.
The southern white rhino, rescued from near extinction in the last century, stands as one of the world's greatest conservation success stories. Statistics state that there were approximately 100 rhinos left in 1895, by 2000 the rhino population had increased to just over 10,400 animals [94% of which are in South Africa]. The white rhino is the largest of all rhino species, reaching a weight of over three metric tons. This relatively placid animal is legendary for its poor eyesight, but its senses of smell and hearing are acute. It has a broad square mouth with a straight upper lip designed for grassing. Unlike the white rhino, the black rhino is about half as heavy and far more aggressive and it has a hooked upper lip to enable it to grasp vegetation.
On the verge of extinction there are approximately 1500 southern black rhino surviving.
The South African Mint pays tribute to these prehistoric creatures by capturing their image in sterling silver.
All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of listings - if any information in this listing is incorrect Goldbull CC will not be held responsible. E&OE
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