What Is The Krugerrand?

Origins of the The Krugerrand

The Krugerrand is a gold coin first introduced in South Africa in 1967 to facilitate the private ownership of gold and to promote South African Gold in international markets. Despite the popularity of the Krugerrand legal tender status of this gold coin changed in the aftermath of the economic sanctions against South Africa during its apartheid period. Consequently the Kruger gold coins were not allowed as legal tender in several western countries in the 1970's and 1980's. Consequently other nations began to develop their own gold bullion coins during this period, all of which were inspired by the Krugerrand. A few examples of such gold coins are the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf in 1979, the Australian Nugget in 1981, the British Britannia coin in 1987 and the American Gold Eagle in 1986. After the fall of apartheid in 1994 the Krugerrand was legally available internationally resulting in a surge in popularity of the kugerrand amongst gold coin collectors. Today the Krugerrand is one of the most actively traded gold bullion coins in the world.
 

Characteristics of the Krugerrand

The Krugerrand is minted in a gold alloy that is 91.76 percent pure or 22ct gold the remaining percentage of the Krugerrands weight is made up of copper which accounts for its yellowish colour. This combination with copper also accounts for its durability. The chances of ending up with a broken gold Kruger coin are highly unlikely. This Kruger gold coin is available in four distinct coin sizes 1oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz. The front of the Kruger gold coins features the face of its namesake Paul Kruger while the back is embellished with the Springbok. All Krugerrands have approximately 180 serrations on the edge. Special collector's editions however can be distinguished by their 220 serrations.