History of the Krugerrand

 

Named after the famous South African President and nature conservationist Paul Kruger and the South African monetary currency, Krugerrands have been legal tender worldwide since the first coin was struck at the South African Mint on the 3 July 1967. As the world’s first ounce-denominated gold coin, the Krugerrand was developed by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa on behalf of the South African gold mining industry and authorised by the South African Reserve Bank. The Krugerrand became the chosen vehicle to promote South African gold as an investment vehicle into the international markets.

The Krugerrand is the most widely held and actively traded bullion coin in the world

Krugerrands were originally minted in one size only: one full troy ounce of fine gold, which is the equivalent of 31.103 grams of gold.  Made from 22 carat gold, Krugerrands have since September 1980 also become available in three different sizes containing exactly 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce of pure gold.

The most widely held and actively traded bullion coin in the world, the Krugerrand remains the easiest way for investors worldwide to own gold. To date some 46 million ounces fine gold contained in newly minted Krugerrands have been sold world wide. This equates to more Krugerrands in circulation internationally than all other gold coins combined.  It is important to note that although Krugerrands are considered legal tender, there is no record of their face value on either side of the coin. The rationale for this is that emphasis is laid on their direct link to the prevailing value of their fine gold content.

Rand Refinery is the only refinery in the world authorised by the South African Treasury, through the Reserve Bank of South Africa, to manufacture and supply the gold coin blanks for Krugerrands. The South African Mint Company is contracted by the South African Reserve Bank to mint these blanks into Krugerrand bullion coins.  

Rand Refinery has also since 1998 been appointed to act as agent for and on behalf of the South African gold mining industry, to distribute the coins both locally and internationally.

Click here to view our Krugerrand Leaflet.

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History

The Krugerrand celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2007.
Click here to find out more
about the history of the world's most famous coin.

Why invest in gold?

For information on the benefits of investing in gold and Krugerrands, please click here.

Dimensions

Krugerrands are available in a number of dimensions. Click here for more detail on the amount and fineness  of gold found in the different size Krugerrands.

Distributors and Dealers

Please click here for a list of international and South African distributors and dealers of Krugerrands.

 
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