The South African Mint, a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank, has launched its unique lion design in the second series of the Big 5 coin range, following its introduction at the 2022 World Money Fair in Berlin.

This is the second animal theme to be released in the second series, following the elephant, which was issued in August 2021.

The split portrait features a unique construct, which reveals a complete portrait of a lion only when placed side by side with another coin. In this way, an entire pride can be built by placing multiple coins next to each other.

“It is very exciting to introduce the lion coin, the latest in the second series of the award-winning collection. The Big 5 series has proved itself to be an iconic range of coins for collectors worldwide.” Announcing the release of the lion at the esteemed World Money Fair, she said, was the ideal platform to show it to the world,” says Honey Mamabolo, Managing Director of the South African Mint.