Gold Foil Stamps

 Gold Foil Stamps

Krugerrand - The oldest bullion coin

Krugerrand is the oldest bullion coin. South Africa topped world gold production by the late 1960s. The Krugerrand was first minted by the South African Mint on 3rd July 1967, at a time when the price of the noble metal was very high. It deviates from the contemporary design of bullion coins.  At that time, the concept of minting a coin with the weight of an investment unit (say, “one ounce”) was new and innovative. It provided small investors who could not afford to purchase the standard 12.44-kilogram gold ingots, an opportunity to purchase small units of gold.  

The Krugerrand coin was initially referred to as a “Trojan” in reference to one Troy ounce (oz) of gold content. The public was then invited to suggest a new name for the one-ounce coin, and Mr. Maré came up with the name Krugerrand, combining President Paul Kruger, and the name of the newly introduced currency rand(introduced in 1961).

Since 1967, the Krugerrand has been South Africa’s legal tender and serves mostly as a tax-free investment, its price determined on the global market with the price of gold fixed on a daily basis. No one had anticipated the runaway success of the Krugerrand gold bullion coin. More than 50 million pieces have been sold in just five decades

The Krugerrand was the first investment coin on sale in Germany and worldwide. It was going strong till 1986.  In 1986, due to the lasting apartheid policy in South Africa, the European Community and the USA boycotted South African products and imposed an import ban of the Krugerrand. This led to the complete crash of the Krugerrand market. Slowly other coins like Gold Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, American Gold Eagles started to emerge.

From 1986-1999, the Krugerrand became a Collector’s item only and lost its bullion market, hence its mintages were reduced to a minimum. In 1999, the import ban was lifted on the Krugerrand and the Krugerrand slowly started regaining its popularity in 2000, however, it could not regain its sole monopoly.

In 2017, Krugerrand turned 50. Sapo (South African Post) issued a set of 3 stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Krugerrand, the oldest bullion coin to be minted.  The 3 stamps depict the development of the Krugerrand in three stages - 1967 (1st minted), 2000(rise after a fall), and 2017 (50th anniversary). The coin designs are relief embossed onto gold foiling.  The stamp depicted the Springbok antelope, which is the heraldic/national animal of South Africa.

Odd World : Oman

My Oman collection of Odd and Unusual stamps/MSs

Odd shape, embossed and Gold Foil

Odd World - Ajman

My Ajman collection of Odd and Unusual stamps and MSs

Gold Foil

Neil Armstrong MS on FDC

 Perforated stamp on FDC

Unperforated stamp on FDC

 

Odd World : Upper Volta

My Upper Volta collection of  Odd and Unusual stamps and MSs 

Gold Foil

Issued on 25th July, 1969

Airmail stamp - Apollo 8 - First manned moon flight 

Odd World - Guinea Ecuatorial

My Guinea Ecuatorial collection of Odd and Unusual stamps/Mss

Gold Foil Stamp
Issued in 22nd March, 1973
Though the Apollo 17 launched on 7th December 1972 at 12:33 am in this MS it is mentioned as 6th December 1972.

Odd World - Yemen

My Yemen collection of Odd and Unusual Stamps and MS

Gold foil - Circular Stamp

Lunar New Year Souvenir Sheets - Canada

Brenda VR of Canada has sent me a lovely cover with the Year of Dragon Souvenir sheet issued by Canada Post on 2012 and inside she has enclosed the Year of Rabbit Souvenir Sheet.

The dragon Souvenir sheet is embossed and has touches of Gold foil on head and scales. 

The year of Rabbit Souvenir sheet was issued in 2011, January.  The rabbits and the circle around them are embossed and it has a thin gold foil to make it look like a typical Chinese embroidery.

Thanks Brenda for the swap and helping me to enhance my "Unusual and Unique stamps" collection.

Golden Swan : Finland

I have received the below beautiful card with the "Golden Swan" stamp from Jules of Finland.  It was issued in 8th of May by Finland Post "Posti".  The design of the swan is done with Gold Foil. Nice addition to my Unusual stamp collection. Thanks Jules.