2005 - The Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Hippos are gregarious animals, associating in herds of up to 40 individuals, consisting of an adult bull, a number of cows and their young. Young bulls are evicted from the herd upon reaching sexual maturity. Adult bulls are extremely territorial and one of the known ways used for demarcation of their territories is their characteristic way of defaecating, by spraying the faeces over a shrub or rock by the rapid flicking of their short tail.

Rivers and lakes, not necessarily very deep, with pools of slow moving water and banks with good quality grazing, are the ideal conditions for hippopotamuses. Territorial fights amongst hippos, are vicious and very often fatal. Fights can go on for hours; each of the contenders trying to inflict deep gashes on their opponent with their razor sharp and enormous incisors. There are very few adult hippo bulls without scars. Lone bulls find refuge in their own pools from where they launch their attacks on a herd bull, in an attempt to take over its harem.

During the day they stay in their pools or on sand banks. At night they leave the water to search for feeding grounds, normally using the same route. Hippos are extremely aggressive and unpredictable animals, very often charging other animals, capsizing boats and even killing people. Hippos can weigh up to 1500 kg and their life-span averages 50 years.

Prestige Set Limited Edition: 700

The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a wooden box which is made from an indigenous South African wood called "Kiaat". In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name "Natura Prestige Set" as well as the year "2005" and the individual number of the set. Each set issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coin made by the South African Mint Company.

Proof Set Limited Edition: 1000

The Natura Proof Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a dark green leatherette box. Each set issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coin made by the South African Mint Company.

2005 - The Hippopotamus
Face Value	Maximum Mintage
100 1 oz	1500
R50 ½ oz	1500
R20 ¼ oz	3000
R10 1/10 oz	3000

Each single Natura coin (1oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) is packaged in a dark green leatherette box. Each coin issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. This Certificate of Authenticity guarantees the quality and authenticity of the coin made by the South African Mint Company.

Certificate of Authenticity

Each coin and coin set issued by the South African Mint Company has a Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate describes the coin’s specifications, the year, the limited edition as well as a short description of the product. It also depicts the signature of the South African Mint’s Managing Director, who is currently Mr Andile Mvinjelwa.

To prevent the duplication of a South African Mint product, the certificates are re-designed each year to include the coin design and each certificate is individually numbered according to the limited edition of the coin or set. As another security measure, the South African Mint’s logo, which is printed in transparent ink and only visible under ultra-violet light, features as part of the layout.