2 x 1 oz Silver Big Five II Leopard 2023 Double Capsule (Mintage: 1,000 | Proof)
- Split Design: together one portrait
- Elegant Wooden Case: reversible plate
- Certificate of Authenticity: numbered
- Split DesignTwo halves of a leopard's head form one whole image
- Elegant Wooden CaseThe wooden plate can be removed and turned over
- Certificate of AuthenticityThe South African Mint confirms the authenticity of your coins
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Big Five · South Africa 2023
Rosette and spot, two coats for two worlds.
Big Five Leopard 2023, 2 × 1 ounce silver, both coins showing the motif side
The leopard’s coat suits its life in trees, in the forest and at night. Among the Big Five, the leopard is known as the elusive one.
The leopard
From the desert to the rainforest
Desert
Mountain forest
Rainforest
No other big cat is as widespread: leopards live in some 62 countries across Africa and Eurasia, in deserts, savannas, mountains and rainforests.
They prefer rocky ground with dense bush and riverine forest. The leopard climbs well, spends much of its time in trees and is mostly active at night, as a loner.
Its coat carries dark, irregular spots, the rosettes; the base colour ranges from pale yellow in warm, dry regions to reddish orange in dense forests. Instead of purring, it calls with a rough, rasping sound.
The cheetah
The only one of its genus
Its genus, Acinonyx, has no other living member today. The cheetah needs wide, open land and is mostly active by day, unlike many other cats.
Its coat carries solid, round or oval black spots from 1.9 to 3.8 centimetres; only the throat and belly stay white. The tail ends in four to six black rings.
Cheetahs do not roar; their most common call is a chirp. Females live alone, while males often join up in groups.
Why two patterns
The coat often suits where the cat lives
Rosette
For trees, forest and night.
Spot
Black, without a ring.
A study of 35 cat species shows that whether a coat is patterned is linked to the habitat. How intricate and irregular the pattern is also relates to life in trees and to activity at night.
Over the course of evolution, such camouflage adapts comparatively quickly to a way of life. In the grey grass where cheetahs often live, their spots can take up the shadows of the blades and let the animals merge with their surroundings.
Allen et al. 2011, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Rosette
For trees, forest and night.
Spot
Black, without a ring.
Allen et al. 2011, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Rare coats
A black panther can be a leopard
Leopards with melanism, that is with almost black fur, are often called black panthers. Black cheetahs, by contrast, are not known.
In the rare king cheetah, the spots merge into blotches and stripes. It is not a species of its own but carries a rare variant of the gene Taqpep, which shapes the variations of the tabby pattern in domestic cats.
Young cheetahs wear a coat of their own as well: a thick, silvery grey mantle along the back, which they shed at about three months of age.
Big Five · South Africa
Two coins, one face
The motif side shows the leopard with the coat of arms below it, together with SOUTH AFRICA, BIG FIVE and the year. The other side divides the face: only two coins side by side make a whole portrait.
Place many coins next to each other and a whole row of faces appears. Today, Big Five means the five animals that wildlife lovers and safari guests want to see in the wild.
Leopard and cheetah in more series
SomaliaThe leopard on both sides, in the coat of arms of 1956.
LiberiaLeopards in gold and silver, exclusively for Kettner Edelmetalle.
1/1,000 ounce of goldRosette and spot in the same small format.
At a glance
- Series
- Big Five, Series II
- Metal
- silver
- Weight
- 2 × 1 ounce
- Fineness
- 999/1,000
- Country of issue
- South Africa
- Face value
- 5 Rand per coin
- Year
- 2023
- Quality
- proof
- Finish
- two coins in one capsule
- Mintage
- 1,000 sets
- Packaging
- presentation case
Leopard and cheetah
Both are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Exclusive Elegance: The Silver Big Five II Leopard 2023
- Strictly limited: Mintage of only 1,000 pieces worldwide
- Growth opportunities: Very high value appreciation potential due to strict limitation and high demand
- Rare collector's coin / rarity: A coveted addition to any collection
- Design: Fascinating portrait of the graceful leopard in the highest minting quality
- Material / fineness: Struck from purest silver with a fineness of 999/1,000
- Manufacturer: Produced by the renowned South African Mint
- Country of origin: South Africa, the land of diverse wildlife and culture
The Big Five Series by the South African Mint is a true treasure for every coin collector. With the fourth issue of this impressive series, the Leopard, Kettner Edelmetalle presents a highlight that captivates not only through its aesthetic design but also through its exclusivity. The two coins of the Silver Big Five II Leopard 2023 Set are crafted in the premium minting quality Proof and are safely housed in an elegant double coin capsule.
A Masterpiece of Numismatics
The Proof minting lends the design of the fully grown leopard incredible depth of detail and reflects the skill of the South African Mint. The minting quality, together with the very low mintage of only 1,000 pieces worldwide, makes these silver coins a rarity with immense value appreciation potential.
Design and Symbolism
The artfully crafted design shows the leopard in all its splendor. The inscriptions "South Africa", "Big Five 2023" and the South African coat of arms adorn the obverse of the coin and underline its authenticity. The reverse reveals an innovative design: two halves of a leopard's head that, placed side by side, form a complete portrait. This reflects not only the beauty but also the intelligence and adaptability of this magnificent predator.
The Magic of the Pack
A special feature of this edition is the interplay of several coins, which together depict a complete leopard pack. This design element is not only visually appealing but also a symbol of the strength and unity that the leopard embodies in nature.
Elegant Accessories
Each set of the 2 x 1 oz Silver Big Five II Leopard 2023 is delivered in a high-quality wooden case that not only offers protection but also allows for stylish presentation. The wooden plate holding the two coins is removable and reversible, allowing the owner to choose which side of the coins is displayed. A numbered certificate of authenticity from the South African Mint provides assurance of the authenticity and exclusivity of your collector's item.
Investment with Tradition and Future
Silver has a long history as a currency and investment metal and is valued worldwide due to its properties and limited supply. The coins from the Big Five Series are not only in demand on the collector's market but also offer diversification for investment portfolios and serve as long-term retirement provision. Furthermore, owning silver coins is a form of protection against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Summary
The 2 x 1 oz Silver Big Five II Leopard 2023 double-capsule set is an acquisition that not only makes collectors' hearts beat faster but also offers investors a unique opportunity to own a piece of African wilderness and numismatic excellence. With its strict limitation, outstanding minting quality, and impressive design, this set is a rarity that should not be missing from any collection.
Product depiction may differ from the final product.
