1981 1/4oz Krugerrand Gold Coin

The 1981 1/4 oz Krugerrand is a South African gold coin made jointly by the South African Mint and the Rand Refinery. Weighing 8.48 grams with a fineness of 916.7 (22 carat gold), it contains a quarter ounce of pure gold (7.77 grams) and measures 22.06 mm. Gold quarter Krugerrands are considered legal tender in South Africa, but do not have a face value.

Obverse: The obverse of the 1981 1/4oz Gold Krugerrand bears the portrait of Paul Kruger, the influential statesman who served as President of the South African Republic from 1883 to 1900. His likeness has featured on every Krugerrand since the coin's launch in 1967, making it one of the most recognisable images in the world of bullion.

The legend on the obverse of the coin reads 'SUID-AFRIKA · SOUTH AFRICA', reflecting the coin's bilingual heritage with text in both Afrikaans and English.

Reverse: The reverse image on the coin features a springbok in full stride. The springbok is the national animal of South Africa's and is an enduring symbol of the country. The design was engraved by Coert Laurens Steynberg, whose initials 'CLS' are discreetly inscribed below the springbok. The year of issue, 1981, also appears on the reverse with the digits split left and right of the animal.