The "Leopard" Gold Coins from the "African Wildlife" Series: A Hidden Gem Among Gold Investment Coins
by Sebastian Wieschowski
The "African Wildlife" series from Somalia has become a bestseller over the past 25 years, with its fascinating elephant motifs captivating both collectors and investors. A few years ago, however, this success story was expanded: the Somali Gold Coin "Leopard" is an exciting new addition to the renowned "African Wildlife" series. This coin collection originated with the "Elephant" Gold Coin, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, marking a quarter-century of captivating minting and collecting history.
This year, the "Somalia Elephant" Gold Coin, a classic, celebrates a special anniversary. First issued in 1999 under the flag of Zambia and minted by Somalia since 2004, the "Somalia Elephant" Gold Coin has become one of the most well-known and popular coins among collectors and investors. This coin features the majestic African Elephant (Loxodonta africana), a symbol of strength and wisdom. Elephants are the largest living land animals. They are fascinating creatures characterized by their long tusks and large ears. They live in social herds and have complex communication methods, ranging from deep calls to infrasound, which humans cannot hear. These animals are also keystone species, shaping the landscape and providing habitat for other species through activities like knocking down trees and creating waterholes.
The "Somalia Elephant" Coin typically depicts an elephant in its natural habitat, often against a backdrop of African flora and fauna. The artistic rendering and high minting quality make this coin a coveted collector's item.
A new era began in 2018 with the "Leopard" Gold Coin. Since that year, the "African Wildlife" series has been expanded to include the "Leopard" Gold Coin. This coin continues the series' tradition by focusing on another iconic African animal: the leopard (Panthera pardus). Leopards are known for their impressive ability to adapt to various habitats—from dense forests to dry savannas. They are skilled hunters and excellent climbers, often hiding their prey in trees to protect it from other predators. Leopards are solitary and highly territorial. Their ability to hunt in the dark makes them one of Africa's most successful predators. Their distinctive spotted coat provides excellent camouflage in different environments. Leopards are also revered as symbols of power and grace in many African cultures and are often subjects of myths and stories.
The design of the "Leopard" Coin features a leopard in a dynamic pose, capturing its elegance and strength. The attention to detail and artistic design are also hallmarks of the "African Wildlife" series. The introduction of the "Leopard" Gold Coin in the "African Wildlife" series in 2018 was an exciting event, celebrating both the significance of these fascinating animals and the artistry of coin minting. A coin trading house from Hamburg is responsible for the distribution and design of the coins. While the "Elephant" coin continues to be valued as a classic, the "Leopard" coin opens new perspectives and continues the tradition of collecting and investing in exceptional gold coins.
Together, both coins offer an impressive insight into the diversity and beauty of African wildlife, captured in fine gold—and connoisseurs know: animal motifs have always been among the most popular coin designs in the world. With a mintage of only 1,000 pieces, the Leopard coins are among the rarest gold investment coins in the world.
Sebastian Wieschowski has been collecting coins since childhood and, after working as a journalist with a focus on finance and economy, has switched his focus on coins and precious since 2012. He is the author of several self-published books on Bullion Coins, Panda Coins, Fake Coins and Coin Grading and works for numismatic magazines. He is also a recurring expert on the German television program Münzengalerie (Coin Gallery), the longest running numismatic television show in the world. You can find out more about his work at coinosseur.com
