Collectible coins highlights plight of rhino

On Friday, July 01, the South African Reserve Bank released its new R5 coin series in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Reserve Bank. The new coin will feature one of six different themes including a black rhinoceros. 
According to head of strategy and communications at the Reserve Bank, Hlengani Mathebula, the coin is meant to “highlight the plight of rhino at the hands of poachers.” Five million coins have been minted and were released into circulation on Friday, 1 July 2011.
In 2009 and 2010, the Reserve Bank’s Natura series featured both the black and white rhinoceros.
First minted by the South African mint in 1994, the Natura series features a new design every year, and has become sought-after among coin collectors. The legal tender Natura series was South Africa's first 24 carat gold coin series.
According to the South African Mint Company, the Natura "Safari through South Africa" theme commenced in 2009 with the white rhinoceros. The critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is featured on the 2010 Natura series.
“These coins highlight the severe threat these rhinos now face from poachers who use highly sophisticated equipment and poaching methods,” says the Mint Company.
In May 2011, the South African Gold Coin Exchange pledged its support for saving the rhino by donating a hefty R500,000 to the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) at the same time that the Rhino gold sets was launched.
According to the SAGCE executive chairman Alan Demby, “SAGCE is deeply concerned about conserving and protecting the country's rhino population.

The Natura Series gold coin