Krugerrands: A Golden Opportunity That Stood the Test of Time
- Gold Invest SA
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Since its introduction in 1967, the South African Krugerrand has not only become one of the most recognizable gold bullion coins in the world — it has also proven to be an outstanding long-term investment.
In 1970, the price of gold was approximately $35 per ounce. With the Krugerrand containing 1 troy ounce of fine gold, a single coin could be acquired for the equivalent of just a few hundred South African rands at the time.
Fast forward to 2025, and that same ounce of gold is now worth over $3,000, or more than R58,000, depending on the exchange rate. That represents an almost 90-fold increase in USD terms, and even greater growth when measured in rands — especially considering the ZAR’s long-term devaluation.
Why Krugerrands Are a Brilliant Long-Term Investment:
📈 Wealth Preservation: Gold has consistently outpaced inflation, protected against currency depreciation, and grown in value — particularly during times of economic uncertainty.
💰 Liquidity & Global Recognition: Krugerrands are globally tradable and easy to convert into cash or other assets.
🛡️ Tangible Asset: Unlike digital investments, Krugerrands offer the security of physical ownership.
🇿🇦 Patriotic Investment: As a South African-made product, investing in Krugerrands supports the local gold industry and offers a source of national pride.
If You Bought One Krugerrand in 1970…
That modest investment of around R25 could now be worth more than R58,000 — a return of over 230,000% over five decades. Few, if any, asset classes have matched that kind of consistent long-term growth with the security and simplicity that gold offers.
***See Spreadsheet for price data.