Coin

5 Rand The Big Five Series I - Lion (2019) — South Africa

South Africa • 2019 • KM# 704

5 Rand The Big Five Series I - Lion (2019) — South Africa

Overview

A commemorative Proof strike silver 5 Rand coin of South Africa from 2019, part of The Big Five Series I featuring the Lion. The obverse displays a male lion facing left along with the South African coat of arms. The reverse features partial faces of two male lions with the coin's denomination, weight, and fineness in the center. Produced with a highly limited mintage of just 100 pieces as part of a 2-coin combination set. Struck in .999 silver with a reeded edge.

Specifications

Country
South Africa
Year
2019
Composition
Silver (.999)
Weight
31.107 g
Diameter
38.725 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 704
Issuer
South Africa

Design details

Obverse

Male lion facing left South African coat of arms in circle bottom center Lettering left and right of coat of arms Script: Latin Lettering: SOUTH AFRICA BIG FIVE 2019 PB Engraver: Paul Botes Designers: Kotie Geldenhuys, Richard Stone

Reverse

Depicting partial faces of two male lions left & right with denomination, weight and finesse in a circle in the middle. Script: Latin Lettering: FIVE RAND 1oz Ag999 Engraver: Paul Botes Designers: Kotie Geldenhuys, Richard Stone

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Paul Botes, Kotie Geldenhuys, Richard Stone is credited as the designer for the Non-circulating coin series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Low mintage: Only 100 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Precious metal content: Silver (.999) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 704. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

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Browse more items in the full catalog or view South Africa in the country guide.