NGC Honored to Certify the Last Ever Krugerrands to Be Struck on Historic Press!

For the last time, the South African Mint has struck a Krugerrand Proof coin on the historic 132-year-old Oom Paul Press. To celebrate these coins, the entire mintage was selected to be certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) and encapsulated with an exclusive label. These coins, which come with a numbered certificate of authenticity and a South African Mint presentation case, are available now exclusively from Govmint.com.

The Oom Paul Press has a long, storied history. Manufactured in 1891 for use in the first South African Mint established in Pretoria in 1892, the press struck more than 8 million coins between 1892 and 1900. Millions of gold sovereigns were also minted on the Oom Paul Press and exported to Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Dutch East Indies, India, Ceylon, Burma, Straits Settlements and the United Kingdom from 1925 to 1933, during the era when South Africa was governed by the British. Special crowns created for the visit of the British royal family in 1947 were also minted on Oom Paul. And when South Africa broke away from the Commonwealth and became a Republic, the first decimal cent coins were struck on Oom Paul in 1961.

The Oom Paul Press was also used to mint the very first Gold Krugerrands and Gold Krugerrand Proofs on July 3, 1967.

These 2024 Gold Oom Paul Krugerrands are struck in 91.67% (22 karat) fine gold. Collectors have the choice of the One-Ounce Gold Krugerrand (1 GKR South Africa legal tender) or the Quarter Ounce Gold Krugerrand (Quarter GKR South Africa legal tender). The coins will also feature a one-of-a-kind privy mark above the springbok image on the reverse showing the original press with its date of manufacturing. The privy is so special that the engravers at the South African Mint hand-engraved it into the die rather than using laser engraving.

“We were blown away that a 132-year-old press could produce coins in such amazing quality,” said Andy Salzberg, Executive Vice President of the Certified Collectibles Group, which includes NGC. “To be able to certify these coins as Gem [65 or higher] Proofs is remarkable. Sometimes, we don’t see this quality from modern minting technology.”

Each of the certified 2024 Gold Oom Paul Krugerrands is certified in Gem Proof condition with a special NGC pedigree of “Final Oom Paul Krugerrands,” which appears on beautiful certification labels designed by the South African Mint to commemorate this historic program.

About NGC

NGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals, with more than 60 million collectibles certified, including a 1787 Brasher Doubloon that sold for a record $9.36 million. Founded in 1987, NGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade, backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee, which gives collectors greater confidence.

About The South African Mint

The South African Mint Company (RF) (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in accordance with the SARB Act 90 of 1989, as amended.

With over 120 years of experience in producing coins and coin products, The South African Mint has established itself as the continent’s leading manufacturer of legal tender circulation, bullion as well as commemorative and rare collectible coins.

The thoughts and opinions in this piece are those of their author and are not necessarily the thoughts of the Certified Collectibles Group.