The South African Mint launched Natura in 1994 as the country's first-ever 24-karat gold coin series — a genuine departure from the older, 22-karat Krugerrand that had defined South African gold bullion since 1967. Rather than a fixed design, Natura spent its first five years depicting South Africa's famous 'Big Five' wildlife, one animal per year: the Lion in 1994, Rhino in 1995, Elephant in 1996, Buffalo in 1997, and Leopard in 1998 — giving the series' earliest years a genuine thematic arc that later releases built on. A 0.999 fine silver version arrived in 2019, 25 years after the gold series began, extending the wildlife theme to a more accessible metal and price point.
The purity difference from the Krugerrand is the first thing a new buyer should understand: Natura's 24-karat gold contains meaningfully more gold per coin than a same-weight 22-karat Krugerrand, which matters when comparing prices between the two South African series. Collectors specifically drawn to the Big Five theme often prioritize the original 1994-1998 five-animal run as a natural, bounded starting collection before deciding whether to pursue later years as well.
The dates serious Natura collectors specifically chase — the rest of the run trades close to melt value.
First year of issue (the Lion) and South Africa's first-ever 24-karat gold coin series — a genuinely different purity tradition from the older, 22-karat Krugerrand. The series spent its first five years depicting South Africa's 'Big Five' wildlife, one animal per year: Lion (1994), Rhino (1995), Elephant (1996), Buffalo (1997), and Leopard (1998).
A 0.999 fine silver version of Natura was introduced, 25 years after the gold series began — extending the Big Five wildlife theme to a second, more accessible metal.
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Start tracking freeYes — Natura is 24-karat (0.9999 fine), while the Krugerrand is 22-karat (0.9167 fine). Natura contains meaningfully more actual gold per coin at the same stated weight.
Lion (1994), Rhino (1995), Elephant (1996), Buffalo (1997), and Leopard (1998) — South Africa's famous 'Big Five' wildlife, one per year across the series' first five years.
Yes — a 0.999 fine silver version was introduced in 2019, 25 years after the original gold series began, extending the wildlife theme to a more accessible metal.