The full-page advertisement in the September 27, 1977 issue of the Boston Herald American showed a South African Krugerrand held by a well-manicured hand. In bold letters, the ad proclaimed, “The Krugerrand, the world’s best way to own pure gold.” The advertisement was part of a multi-million dollar promotional campaign which has turned the US into the number one Krugerrand market in the space of a year, a campaign which has successfully convinced a large number of US consumers that the Krugerrand is both attractive and a sound investment. Yet each Krugerrand sold in the US serves directly to prop up the system of apartheid which, with its inherent racism and injustice, is the cornerstone of South African society.
The family name of Paul Kruger, and the Rand, South African currency.
During the 1970s & 1980s, economic sanctions were held against South Africa for its policy of apartheid. Buying Krugerrands during these times could be seen as approval of the practice, and so some Western countries such as Great Britain made the Krugerrand an illegal import during these times.
Since the end of apartheid in 1994, production levels of the Krugerrand have steadily increased and the Krugerrand is now seen as one of the most well-respected gold coins in existence today.
Although it is known as the first ever 1oz gold coin, it is also available in fractional ounces (1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz).
