What Are Krugerrands?

Krugerrands are gold 1oz coins from South Africa. They are very popular with bullion collectors and their price is usually closely associated with the current gold price.

The name is derived from a combination of Kruger (the former South-African president depicted on the obverse) and Rand, the South African unit of currency. Paulus ("Paul") Kruger (1825-1904) who was President of the South African Republic from 1883 to 1900. Kruger was one of the most important people in the history of 19th century South Africa.

The reverse shows the springbok, a medium sized antelope indigenous in South Africa and is a common symbol of the country. The South African rugby team is nicknamed the "Springboks".

Krugerrands weigh more than 1oz so that they can contain a full 1 troy ounce of fine gold.