Gold Somalian Elephant coins are released annually by the Bavarian State Mint as part of the popular African Wildlife series of Somalian Elephant coins. The gold coins are available in bullion and proof versions, with the latter coveted by collectors because of its new design on a yearly basis. Right now, the 2016 ½ Gram Gold Somalian Elephant Coin is available to purchase on Silver.com.
Coin Highlights:
- Arrives in a plastic capsule.
- 13th design in the African Wildlife elephant series.
- Consists of One-Half Gram, or .016 Troy ounces, of .9999 fine gold.
- Bears a face value of 20 Somali Shillings.
- Obverse features the 2016 Elephant design.
- Reverse includes the coat of arms for Somalia.
The Somalian Elephant series of coins originated in 1999 at the Bavarian State Mint as the Zambian Elephant series. Beginning in 2004, the coins were issued as Somalian Elephants instead. Regardless, throughout the coin’s history there has been a new obverse design each year.
Designs on the Gold Somalian Elephant always focus on the African elephant species, the world’s largest land mammal. However, while the motif remains that of an elephant in its natural habitat, the specific features change from year to year. Some designs feature a herd of elephants or a mother and calf, while others feature just one large elephant.
On the obverse of the 2016 ½ Gram Gold Somalian Elephant is the unique design used only in 2016. It features a massive elephant in the foreground standing amidst the tall grass at the banks of a body of water. Engravings read “African Wildlife,” “Elephant,” and “0.5 G Au 999.9.”
The reverse of all Gold Somalian Elephant coins features the coat of arms for Somalia. The nation’s crest includes a heraldic shield in the center held up by one leopard on either side, and a single star on a background of horizontal lines on the shield’s face. Engravings on this side include “Somali Republic,” “2016” split on either side of the shield, and “20 Shillings.”
Each of these 2016 ½ Gram Gold Somalian Elephant Coins is in BU condition. Coins in this condition exhibit no signs of wear and tear, though you may notice minor flaws such as breaks in the luster, spotted surfaces, and contact marks.
All Somalian Elephant coins are produced by the Bavarian State Mint. Opened in Munich in 1158, it is one of Germany’s oldest mints and is owned today by the state government in the Free State of Bavaria.
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