South African Mint Wins Gold at World Money Fair 2026
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
The SA Mint's Big Five Series 3 Lion coin has claimed top honours at one of the world's most prestigious numismatic events in a ground breaking public vote.
The South African Mint returned home from the World Money Fair 2026 in Berlin with a prestigious accolade, having won first place in the Gold Coin category for its stunning Big Five Series 3 Lion coin. The victory is particularly significant as it represents the inaugural World Money Fair Award, the first and only award in the numismatic industry where the public decides the winners through both online and on-site voting.
Held from January 29-31, 2026 at the Estrel Congress Centre, the World Money Fair celebrated its 20th anniversary in Berlin and broke all previous attendance records. More than 320 exhibitors from 50 nations showcased their products to enthusiastic collectors who lined up outside the doors each morning, eager to secure coveted coins and banknotes.
The winning coin features a magnificently detailed depiction of a roaring lion, one of Africa's most iconic animals and a symbol of strength and majesty. Part of the celebrated Big Five series, the 2025 edition showcases intricate relief work that captures the raw power and beauty of the king of beasts. The reverse displays South Africa's national coat of arms, with the inscription "South Africa" and "Big Five 2025" commemorating both the nation and the prestigious wildlife collection.
A People's Choice Award
What makes this victory especially meaningful is that it represents direct recognition from collectors themselves. The World Money Fair Award was presented on the final day of the fair, with winners determined by votes cast by attendees and online participants who selected their favourite new releases from 2025. The SA Mint's Lion coin triumphed over strong competition, with CIT Coin Invest taking second place for their '60 Years of Self-Government' coin, and the Lithuanian Mint securing third place with 'Year of the Horse 2026'.
The South African Mint team accepted their award with obvious delight in what organizers described as "a moving moment that reflected the passion and creativity of the industry." Those who participated in the voting and attended the Saturday afternoon award ceremony also had the chance to win one of nine high-quality coin mintings in a special lottery.
A Record-Breaking Fair
The 2026 World Money Fair proved to be the most successful in the event's history, which began in Switzerland in 1972 as the 'International Coin Exchange' and has been held in Berlin since 2006. "With this year's expansion of a total of 500 square metres of exhibition space, we are demonstrating that Berlin is and will remain the international centre of the coin and banknote world," said Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel, Managing Director of the World Money Fair.
The fair attracted a diverse audience from around the globe, from young newcomers to experienced collectors—all drawn by the opportunity to see the latest innovations and rarities from state mints, private mints, dealers, and technology providers. The atmosphere was consistently positive, with strong buying interest demonstrating that the passion for coin and banknote collecting remains unbroken.
Building on Excellence
The Big Five series has become one of the South African Mint's flagship collections, celebrating the continent's most renowned wildlife: the lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, and buffalo. Each release in the series has garnered international attention for its exceptional artistry and quality.
This international recognition at the World Money Fair reinforces South Africa's position as a leader in world-class coin production and numismatic excellence, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and design capabilities of the South African Mint team on the global stage.
