South African Gold Krugerrand BU, the original 1 oz 22‑karat bullion coin with unmatched global recognition
The South African Gold Krugerrand is the original modern gold bullion coin and remains one of the most recognized and widely traded gold pieces in the world.
Introduced in 1967 to market South Africa’s gold production, the Krugerrand was designed specifically as a convenient vehicle for private investors to hold one troy ounce of gold in coin form, and for years it dominated the global bullion market. Each coin is struck in a durable 22‑karat alloy—91.67% gold, 8.33% copper—so it contains a full ounce of pure gold but weighs slightly more overall, giving it the Krugerrand’s distinctive reddish hue and excellent resistance to everyday handling.
The obverse features a left‑facing portrait of Paul Kruger, former president of the South African Republic, with “SUID‑AFRIKA” and “SOUTH AFRICA” around the rim, while the reverse shows a springbok antelope in stride, the “KRUGERRAND” name, and inscriptions for gold weight and fineness. Over time, the series expanded to include fractional sizes (½, ¼, and 1/10 oz) and, later, silver and platinum versions, but the 1‑oz Gold Krugerrand remains the flagship—valued for its deep market, tight spreads, and long track record as a go‑to bullion coin.
