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What's a Krugerrand

Gold Coin?

You may already know that South Africa is one of the world's largest gold producing countries. So, it is logical for them to try to increase interest in their product..... gold!

Krugerrand beginnings

In 1967 the South African government found a way to increase investor interest in South African gold, by using their gold to mint a new type of gold bullion coins. Their strategy: Include a full ounce in each coin, charge a very small premium to make them, promote and advertize their new bullion gold coins.... and the Krugerrand gold coin was born!

Investors around the world discovered that buying a Krugerrand was a good way to purchase gold and have it in their possession. In the 1970's US citizens were again allowed to purchase gold bullion coins. (US citizens were forbidden to buy or own bullion gold after their gold bullion was confiscated in the early 1930's.)

Various sizes of Krugerrands

The kruggerand became the first modern-era bullion gold coin. Prior to this time gold coins made by world mints were of various odd sizes. Eventually the South African government began making smaller size coins in addition to the 1 ounce Krugerrand. Today you can buy gold Kruggerands in 1 ounce, half ounce, fourth ounce and tenth ounce sizes.

Photo of a tenth oz Krugerrand gold coin

Facts about the Krugerrand

The Krugerrand is named for Paul Kruger, the last president of the Republic of South Africa. The coin features a portrait of Kruger on one side and an interesting rendition of a Springbok antelope on the other. Each coin will show the amount of gold it contains in small print under the antelope design. (For an example, see the photo above.)

The krugerrand, like many other countries gold coins, actually contains other metal besides gold to give the coin a hardness, so that it can withstand wear and handling. Krugerrands are .916 fine, which means that they are 91.60% pure gold. For example, a 1 ounce krugerrand will have a full troy ounce of gold in it, plus about 8% copper. If you weigh one, you'll find it weighs about 8% over a troy ounce (due to the added copper). When you buy a krugerrand you're getting a full ounce of gold, plus a little copper for free!

Consequently, the color will have a very slight copper tint to it.

Krugerrand Dimensions
Coin Size	Diameter	Thickness
One ounce	32.6	2.75
Half oz.	27.0	2.25
Fourth oz.	22.0	1.85
Tenth oz.	16.5	1.20

All sizes are approximate, and rounded to the nearest tenth of a millimeter.

Other popular gold coins

Other popular gold bullion investor coins include the Canadian Maple Leaf, the American Gold Eagle, Mexican gold pesos, the Australia Kangaroo and lunar gold coins, and the Austria Philharmonic gold coins.

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