1/2 oz Krugerrand Gold Coin | Second Grade

1/2 oz Krugerrand Second Grade — half an ounce of gold with visible wear

The 1/2 oz Krugerrand in second grade contains 15.5518 g of fine gold — exactly half a troy ounce — in a 916.7 (22-carat) alloy, the same as a brilliant uncirculated coin. The difference is purely cosmetic: the coin may show scratches, rub, spots or discoloration, and the year depends on the delivery. It suits a buyer who pays for the metal rather than for a flawless surface.

Technical specifications

Why this product

• A full half ounce of gold — 15.5518 g of fine metal, whatever the condition of the surface
• Half the gold of the 1 oz coin — a lower entry point with the same series and alloy
• Hard 22-carat alloy — 8.33% copper makes the coin more durable than 999.9 gold
• No face value — South African legal tender whose value comes from its gold content
• VAT-exempt — 916.7 fineness is above the 900 threshold that applies to gold coins

History — from the 1967 ounce to the 1980 fractions

The Krugerrand was launched on 3 July 1967 to help market South African gold abroad. For 13 years the series consisted only of the one-ounce coin. In 1980 three fractions were added — 1/2, 1/4 and 1/10 oz — in the same alloy and design; that same year the Krugerrand held around 90% of the global gold coin market.

Two institutions stand behind every coin: Rand Refinery refines the gold and produces the blanks, and the South African Mint, owned by the South African Reserve Bank, strikes them. Some half-ounce coins dated 1987-1991 were struck at the Gold Reef City Mint in Germiston and carry a GRC mark. A mixed-year lot may therefore include coins from different decades.

Obverse — portrait of Paul Kruger

The obverse shows Paul Kruger in profile, after the design by Otto Schultz, with the legend SUID-AFRIKA • SOUTH AFRICA. The coin's name joins Kruger's surname with the South African currency, the rand. The design is identical every year, so mixed dates differ only in the year and in condition.

Reverse — springbok and content mark

The reverse features the springbok, South Africa's national animal, designed by Coert Steynberg, with the legend 1/2 KRUGERRAND, the year and the bilingual content mark FYNGOUD 1/2 OZ FINE GOLD. The absence of a face value is deliberate — the price follows the gold weight.

For everyday checks the physical features matter: a reeded edge with 150 reeds, a 27.07 mm diameter and a weight of 16.965 g. Scratches and toning on a second grade coin do not change these values measurably on a standard jewellery scale.

Second grade — what you get and what you do not

You get:

• a coin with the full 15.5518 g of 916.7 gold
• visible marks — scratches, rub, spots or discoloration of varying extent
• a year allocated from the current delivery, in a plastic pouch

You do not get:

• a choice of year or mint mark (e.g. GRC)
• a coin without marks — the brilliant uncirculated versions cover that
• a capsule or blister from the producer

What to consider before buying

• Every coin is different. The extent of the marks and the year vary from coin to coin and cannot be specified in advance.
• The premium on fractions is higher than on 1 oz. Striking costs are spread over less gold; second grade is a way to buy the same weight of metal for less than a brilliant uncirculated coin.
• Resale. The gold price is decisive; surface condition may affect the rate a buyer offers.
• Storage. The pouch protects against dust, not knocks — for longer storage a capsule with a 27 mm inner diameter is a sensible addition.

Why GoldInvest24

We source coins from state mints and LBMA-accredited producers. Parcels are insured and packed discreetly. Other gold coins, including brilliant uncirculated Krugerrands, are in the gold coins category. The current price is shown on the gold price page.

Krugerrand variants compared

The three half-ounce variants are technically identical — they differ only in year and condition, and therefore in price.

FAQ — 1/2 oz Krugerrand Second Grade

What does second grade mean for a 1/2 oz Krugerrand?

These are coins with visible signs of circulation or storage — scratches, rub, spots or discoloration. Fine gold content (15.5518 g), 916.7 fineness and dimensions are the same as on a brilliant uncirculated coin; only the surface differs.

Can I choose the year?

No. The coins come from mixed years and the date depends on the delivery. The half-ounce has been struck since 1980, so the range of possible dates is wide.

Why does the coin weigh 16.965 g if it contains half an ounce of gold?

The 22-carat alloy contains 8.33% copper added on top of the gold. Pure gold accounts for 15.5518 g; the remaining roughly 1.41 g is copper, which hardens the coin.

How do I check that a 1/2 oz Krugerrand is genuine?

The key figures are 16.965 g weight, 27.07 mm diameter, 2.215 mm thickness and a reeded edge with 150 reeds. Handling marks do not change these values measurably on a standard jewellery scale.

Is the second grade 1/2 oz Krugerrand VAT-exempt?

Yes. Condition does not matter — the coin is 916.7 fine, above the 900 threshold, and is legal tender in South Africa. It is VAT-exempt under EU Directive 2006/112/EC (art. 344-356).

Who produces the Krugerrand?

Rand Refinery refines the gold and manufactures the blanks, while the South African Mint, owned by the South African Reserve Bank, strikes the coins. Rand Refinery is on the LBMA Good Delivery list.