In 2009 the South African Mint released a very special Limited Issue Prestige Natura Launch White Rhino Gold Proof 2 Coin Set which includes the 100 Rand Gold Proof Coin Mint Mark "EWT" struck in solid 24 Carat Gold weighing one ounce of pure Gold with a special Mint Mark of "EWT" Endangered Wildlife Trust and a solid 24 Carat Gold Launch Medallion weighing one half of an ounce of pure Gold and special Silver Head of a Rhino with genuine diamond and is the first in the series "Safari Through South Africa" series.
In continuation of the
South African Mint's Natura Series of
Numismatic Gold Coins , the theme called
Safari Through South Africa begins in
2009 and features
The White Rhinoceros to celebrate the successful '
Save the Rhino ' project which saved these highly endangered species from certain extinction. Four of the world's five species of rhinos are '
Critically Endangered ' and face an extreme risk of extinction in the wild. In 1970, there were around 70,000
Rhinos worldwide in total. Today there are fewer than 27,431 rhinos surviving in the wild around the world, of which 80% are found in
South Africa . These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
