Krugerrand Gold Coins
The Krugerrand is a gold coin produced by the South African Mint. It is named in honor of South Africa’s official currency, the Rand, and four-time president of South Africa Paul Kruger. First minted in 1967, Krugerrand gold coins were intended to be legal tender, and are therefore minted with a gold/copper alloy for the purpose of durability.
Economic sanctions against South Africa over apartheid meant Krugerrand Gold Coins never saw much success until the ’90s, when sanctions were lifted and the Krugerrand was embraced by coin collectors all over the world. The South African Krugerrand has become a popular investment and is widely available through bullion dealers and coin shops. It is available in one ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce coins, the 1 oz. Krugerrand being the most popular.
The Krugerrand was the precursor to most modern gold bullion, such as the Canadian Maple, American Eagle, and Gold Buffalo gold coins. Its success in South Africa, despite the restrictions imposed on the country due to apartheid, was an inspiration for many other countries to begin minting their own gold coins, albeit without the idea of using them as currency. Its durability and world-renowned quality has made the Krugerrand one of the most popular bullion investment options.
