Natura - 2012 African Painted Wolf(R50, 1/2 oz, 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 R50 (1/2 oz) Natura coin portrays an alpha female and her pups, protecting them while the others are hunting. Pups are the center of attention and all pack members take part in their care, feeding and protecting them until they are old enough to hunt.

Natura Coin Specifications - Limited 1500