2004 - UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park R2 Gold Series

South Africa's World Heritage Sites are commemorated on the R2 (1/4 oz) gold coin series. The first to feature was Robben Island in 2002. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park followed in 2003 and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is featured in 2004.

On 29 November 2000 the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park was named a World Heritage Site. The sharp mountain peaks inspired the Zulu people to name this mountain range “uKhahlamba” which means “Barrier of Spears Pointing to the Sky”. This mountain range was also named “Drakensberg” or “Dragon Mountain” by the Voortrekkers (Dutch pioneers), because the mountain range resembled the back of a dragon.

Amongst its many treasures, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park has one of the greatest occurrences of rock art in the world. This rich tapestry of rock art, left behind by the San people, is portrayed on the reverse of the R2 pure gold coin. On the obverse of this legal tender coin the South African coat of arms is depicted together with the year “2004” and the words “South Africa”.

ARTIST
Natanya van Niekerk – Marketing Manager and chief artist at the South African Mint designed the R2 gold coin.

ENGRAVERS
The obverse design for the R2 gold coin was engraved by the South African Mint’s former chief die-engraver, Arthur Sutherland. South African Mint resident die-engraver, Marthinus Scheepers engraved the reverse design.