In 1979, the Krugerrand underwent another refinement in its thickness tolerance, which was adjusted from 2.74 – 2.972 mm to a new standard of 2.74 – 2.84 mm.
That year, the SA Mint produced nearly 5 million bullion Krugerrands. However, the Proof version remained much rarer, with only 11,800 Proof Krugerrands minted.
All Proof Krugerrands should be accompanied by an SA Mint box, an SAGCE enclosure, or be certified and slabbed by NGC or another reputable grading company.
No Certificate of Origin (COA) was issued for Proof Krugerrands in 1979. Handling these coins requires care. To remove a Proof Krugerrand from the SA Mint box, it is best to cup your hand and "slap" the box gently into your cupped palm. Always use soft cotton gloves to avoid damage.
As collector demand rises, early Proof Krugerrands will become even rarer. Completing a full set will be a significant challenge in the future.
Since the value of bullion Krugerrands is closely tied to the gold price, determining an exact value for a 1979 Proof Krugerrand is challenging. However, a reasonable estimate is around 105% of the gold price.
On August 19, 2016, a 1979 PF69 Proof Krugerrand was listed for sale at Apmex for US$2,068, approximately 155% of the gold price.
1979 | Information |
---|---|
Hern's Number | K14 |
Krause-Mishler Number | KM73 |
Designer | CLS Coert Steynberg |
Diameter | 32.61 to 32.77 mm |
Thickness | 2.74 to 2.84 mm |
Mintage (Proof) | 11,800 |
Mintage (UNC/Bullion) | ~5,000,000 |
Total Weight | 33.9305 g |
Gold Weight | 31.1 g (1 oz) |
Gold Purity | 91.667% |
Copper Content | 8.333% |
Reeding | Fine |
Certificate of Origin | No |
Frosted Features | Yes |
Best Known Grade | PR70 |