2007 South Africa Natura Eland 50 Rand Gold Proof 1/2oz Coin NGC PF70 UC

In 2007 to celebrate the Eland, the South African Mint released a very special Limited Issue Natura Eland 50 Fifty Rand Gold Proof Coin struck in solid 24 Carat Gold weighing one half of an ounce of fine pure Gold and has been Certified Slabbed and Graded by NGC as PF70 Ultra Cameo.

To continue the theme of "Giants of Africa" series the 2007 coins depict the Eland the largest antelope in South Africa.
An Eland can weigh up to 900kg and can grow to a shoulder height of 1.7 meters. In spite of its heavy physique, Eland are remarkably agile and large bulls can easily jump over regular fences. They have a slight hump at the shoulders and a prominent dewlap. The heavy horns of both sexes slant backward and can grow to a length of 1 metre long.

Females weigh only about 450 kilograms. As they grow older their colour changes from a tawny colour to grey. The male has a tuft of hair on the forehead. With age, this tuft changes colour from dark brown to black. They also have a distinctive faint vertical white stripes on their flanks.

The Eland is a browser, utilizing a wide diversity of plant species. It can exist for long periods without open water but is then reliant on fruits like tsamma melon and the Gemsbok cucumber to meet its water requirements. They will also eat young grass especially after it has been burnt and new green shoots appear.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.

• Limited Mintage Presentation of 133 Worldwide
• Finished to South African Mint's Proof Quality
• Struck in Solid Fine 999.9 Gold Weighing Half Ounce of Pure Gold
• Natura Gold 1/2oz Coin Celebrating the Eland
• Certified Slabbed and Graded by NGC as PF70 Ultra Cameo