King of the Animals - Lion Tribute Collection

King of the Beasts: The Lion Tribute Collection in Gold and Silver

Few animals have fascinated humanity as early as the lion. It sat enthroned on coats of arms, seals, and ancient coins long before anyone spoke of the "Big Five." With the Lion Tribute Collection, you bring this myth home eightfold: seven silver pieces and one in gold, totaling 373.37 grams of fine weight. That corresponds to 12 ounces of silver plus a small gold coin on top.

What makes this collection special? The variety. Here, classic silver coins from the South African Mint meet modern minting techniques from CIT Coin Invest, a hand-poured bar from Arizona, and genuine fine gold in miniature format. Each silver coin tells the story of the king of the beasts in its own way.

What's included in the collection

• 5 oz Silver Big Five II Lion 2022 – the heavyweight of the series, only 500 pieces worldwide
• 2 x 1 oz Silver Big Five II Lion 2022 Proof Double Capsule – Proof, mintage of 1,000
• 1 oz Silver Big Five III Lion 2025 – 2nd design, in blister pack, mintage of 15,000
• 1 oz Silver Black and White Lion 2026 – Cook Islands, Black Proof, only 500 pieces
• 1 oz Silver Lion 2026 – Prism design in Proof, mintage of 500
• 1 oz Silver Cook Islands Lion 2025 – High relief with antique finish, mintage of 999
• 1 oz Silver Bar Scottsdale Lion – hand-poured, 999 fine silver
• 1/200 oz Gold Big Five Lion 2026 – Proof, mintage of 1,000

Big Five from South Africa: the lion as series star

Since 2019, the South African Mint has been issuing its Big Five series. Elephant, lion, rhinoceros, leopard, and buffalo – five animals that represent the African savanna like no others. Three lion editions from this series are included in the collection, and they nicely illustrate how the series has evolved.

The 5-ounce coin from Series II measures an impressive 65 millimeters. Its frontal lion's head gazes calmly, almost majestically, at the viewer; the flowing mane is intricately worked down to individual strands. Below sits the South African national coat of arms, surrounded by the inscriptions "SOUTH AFRICA" and "BIG FIVE 2022." This portrait is also found on both ounces of the double capsule. There it shines in Proof quality: a mirrored field, matte relief – a contrast straight out of a picture book.

The Big Five silver coin from Series III is the newest addition. The lion is the second design of this new series. It comes protected in a blister pack, and with a mintage of 15,000, it is the most widely minted edition in the set, yet still limited.

Black, prism, patina: modern minting artistry

The Black and White Lion 2026 relies on contrasts. Obsidian-black surfaces, bright mane sections, and glossy refined eyes make the portrait appear almost photographic. On the value side, three scratch marks run across the portrait of King Charles III – a dramatic touch! The issuing country is the Cook Islands, with a face value of 5 dollars, a diameter of 38.61 mm, and a fineness of 999.9.

Quite different is the Prism Lion 2026. A roaring lion's head with mighty fangs stands before faceted crystal surfaces that flash or sink into darkness depending on the light. The coin from the Republic of Liberia (20 dollars, 40 mm) is made of 999.9 fine silver.

And then there's the Cook Islands Lion 2025. Thick, irregularly round, darkly patinated – it resembles a hand-struck ancient coin. The high relief of the roaring lion's head appears as if carved directly from the metal. Minted by CIT Coin Invest, 33 mm, 999.9 silver.

Gold in miniature format: "Where the Wild Reigns"

The 1/200 oz Gold Big Five Lion 2026 depicts a striding, roaring lion in tall savanna grass, framed by an edge ornament in the style of African tribal art. On the value side, all five animals gather: elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and buffalo. Technical details: 0.16 grams of fine gold, fineness 999.9, 14 mm diameter, face value 25 dollars of the Republic of Liberia. The coin comes in a coincard featuring a rhinoceros and buffalo, bearing the golden inscription "Where the Wild Reigns."

Hand-poured: the Scottsdale Lion bar

For those who appreciate a rustic touch, this bar is a must-have. Scottsdale Mint from Arizona pours its bars by hand, which means no two are exactly alike. Rounded edges, a slightly irregular surface, and a round stamp featuring a crowned lion's head make it a true king among lions. Fineness 999/1,000.

Condition: details on individual items

The collection unites editions from the years 2022 to 2026 in a wide variety of finishes, ranging from blister-packed pieces to Proof, antique finish, and Black Proof. The Big Five II lions from 2022 come from an already completed year of issue. The exact condition of each piece is described in detail on the respective individual product pages. Please refer to this information.

Collection or individual purchase? Pros and cons

1. Cohesive theme: coordinated lion designs and entry into several series at once.
2. Broad diversification: coins and bars, silver and gold, strictly limited collector's items alongside classic investment silver.
3. To consider: Those who exclusively collect a series like the Big Five from South Africa will buy more selectively as individual pieces. However, those who love the lion as a motif will find a range here that would otherwise be tedious to assemble piece by piece.

Silver and gold as anchors of value

Gold is humanity's oldest currency and has outlasted every paper currency. Silver has accompanied it for millennia as a coinage metal. Both possess intrinsic value, can be traded worldwide, and sold again when needed. That's why they are considered a proven building block for wealth preservation as well as inflation hedge and crisis protection. This collection adds the collector's appeal of low mintages: several pieces are limited to 500 to 1,000 units. Delivery is provided as insured value shipping.

Eight lions, two precious metals, one theme: a collection for anyone who wants not only to admire the king of the beasts, but to own it.