In 2007 to celebrate the Eland, the South African Mint released a very Limited Issue Natura 20 Rand Gold Proof Coin struck in solid Fine 999.9 Gold weighing one-quarter of an ounce of pure Gold and has been Certified Slabbed and Graded by NGC as PF70 Ultra Cameo.
An Eland can weigh up to 900kg and can grow to a shoulder height of 1.7 metres. 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 meter. 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.