Denomination |
Diameter*
(mm) |
Thickness*
(mm) |
Weight
(g) |
Fineness |
Gold content |
Edge reeded |
(g) |
(oz t) |
1 oz |
32.77 |
2.84 |
33.930 |
22 carat 91.67% |
31.103 |
1.000 |
160** |
1/2 oz |
27.07 |
2.215 |
16.965 |
22 carat 91.67% |
15.552 |
0.500 |
185 |
1/4 oz |
22.06 |
1.888 |
8.482 |
22 carat 91.67% |
7.776 |
0.250 |
150 |
1/10 oz |
16.55 |
1.35 |
3.393 |
22 carat 91.67% |
3.110 |
0.100 |
115 |
* Maximum
dimensions |
The Krugerrand is 32.6 mm in diameter and 2.74 mm thick. The
Krugerrand's actual weight is 1.0909 troy ounces (33.93 g). It is minted
from gold alloy that is 91.67% pure (22 karats),
so the coin contains one troy ounce (31.1035 g) of gold. The remaining
8.33% of the coin's weight (2.826 g) is copper (an
alloy known historically as crown
gold which has long been used
for English gold sovereigns),
which gives the Krugerrand a more orange appearance than silver-alloyed
gold coins. Copper alloy coins are harder and more durable, so they can
resist scratches and dents.
The Krugerrand is so named because the obverse bears the face of Boer statesman Paul
Kruger, four-term president of the old South
African Republic. The reverse depicts a springbok,
one of the national symbols of South Africa. The image was designed by Coert
Steynberg, and was previously used on the reverse of the earlier South
African five shilling coin. The name "South Africa" and the gold content
are inscribed in both Afrikaans and English (as
can be seen on the pictures of the coin).
The word "Krugerrand" is a registered trade mark owned by Rand
Refinery Limited, of Germiston,
South Africa.