South Africa 1-RAND (KM138)

A smaller rand coin was introduced in 1990 (KM #148), and this version was issued from 1991 to 1995. It retains the leaping Springbok portrait from the earlier, larger coins.

"Spring" is Dutch and Afrikaans for "jump" (and bok means antelope or goat). Springboks are grazers, and they inhabit the vast grass plains in the western part of the southern tip of Africa. The Springbok is the national animal of South Africa and has been hunted since stone age times. Export of its hide is a booming business and its population is considered to be expanding.