Natura - 2012 African Painted Wolf(R10, 1/10oz, 24 ct gold)

The theme “Nature’s Families” was first introduced on the pure gold Natura coin series in 2011 and featured the Meerkats of the Kalahari.

In 2012 Africa’s most endangered mammal is depicted, the African Painted Wolf also known as the African Wild Dog.  Their scientific name Lycaon pictus is derived from the Greek for “wolf” and the Latin for “painted”. Each animal has an irregular mottled coat, the tan, black and white patterns unique to each individual.

Although their behaviour is similar to that of the wolf of the northern hemisphere, they differ from dogs and wolves in that they have only four, not five, toes on each foot. Their large rounded ears are characteristic and contribute to an extremely acute sense of hearing. The common obverse depicts the silhouetted shapes of a pack of African Painted Wolves at a river.

The reverse of the R10 (1/10th oz) Natura coin portrays an alpha female.  The oldest female and oldest male having alpha status over their offspring and siblings. Typically only the alpha pair breeds and after a gestation period of two and a half months, a litter of seven to fourteen pups is born.  They remain underground in the burrow for the first two months of their lives. The pups are the center of attention and all pack members take part in caring, feeding and protecting them.

Natura Coin Specifications - Limited 3000

Each set issued has an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity.