For the history of the South African geocoins the coins are divided into 2 groups. The first group is coins commissioned by South African geocachers, and the 2nd group are all other "South African" themed geocoins.
South African commissioned geocoinsThe very first geocoin minted by a South African was the geocacher_coza coin minted by team "geocacher_coza", from Vereeniging, in 2005. This was a non trackable coin, but did have a sequential sequence number on each coin. It is estimated that a total of 500 were minted.
Team "Fish Eagle" produced a "Fish Eagle" coin in 2006 which was the first trackable geocoin, and was produced in the Netherlands.
It seems like 2007 was the South African geocoin year as 4 coins were minted by 3 separate teams. Team "NotBlonde" created what is now known as the "South African Big 5" geocoin, and team "CrystalFairy" created two coins. The "Adrenalin" geocoin (first run of 250 coins) and the once off limited edition "CrystalFairy" gold coin produced with permission of Selena Fenich the designer. Only 250 of these coins were made. Team "The Huskies" from Cape Town, also produced a paw print coin in 2007.
In 2008, team "Eragon Saphira" produced the very first South African, designed and minted, geocoin at the Gold Reef City mint. Up to the end of 2014 this is still the only "in South Africa" minted coin. As the facilities at the GRC mint are limited the coin is not as nice as the other coins minted overseas.
2 Years later, 2010 saw the 2nd run of team "Fish Eagle" coins, as well as team "The Huskies" Soccer World Cup coin.
2011 was the 10 year anniversary of geocaching in South Africa. Team "Cape Doc" designed a lovely South Africa shaped coin with a spinning "zero", in 4 different finishes which was another first for South Africa. The finishes were: Satin Gold, Antique Silver, Antique Gold, and Antique Copper. Team "Urban Campers" closed 2011 with a 50 coin run of a round blue coin bearing their team name.
The only coins created in 2012 was for South Africa's first MEGA event held at the Voortrekker monument in October 2012. There were 6 coins minted for the grand occasion with the following finishes: Antique Silver, Antique Gold, Satin Silver (a limited edition), Satin Gold (a limited edition), Shiny Silver (a limited edition) and Nickel Silver (a limited edition).
The next set of geocoins commissioned by South Africans was for Africa's 2nd MEGA event held in Kwazulu-Natal in 2014. 4 Coins were minted, 3 being of the same design, with 3 different finishes (Bronze, Silver and Gold), and a 4th Limited Edition coin with a separate design.
Other South African themed geocoins
In 2006 a geocaching team from the Netherlands (a team called "Myth") visited South Africa, and produced the first non South African commissioned geocoin. In 2007 Groundspeak followed suit and created a coin where Signal the Frog flew over South Africa in a balloon. In 2011 a South African flag micro coin was created. Late in 2011 Travel Bugs were starting to appear with different countries flags on them, and South Africa was one of them.
South African commissioned geocoins
34
Tracking code on the back.World-wide coin.South African version of the coin hasflag colours on the front,and the green and gold colours of our sporting teams on the back.
Tracking code on the back.World-wide coin.South African version of the coinhas the sunset colours of a phototaken in the Kruger National Park.
Other South African non trackable (wooden) geocoins
If you have any additional coin info please contact us on or post a message on Facebook.
Read More
© 2020 Geocachers of South Africa
