SILVER Bullion Wildlife

 

2015 Somalian SILVER Elephant 1 oz Bullion Coins Series
The beautiful 2015 Somalian SILVER Elephant is the 12th in the series dating back to the first release in 2004 by the
Bavarian State Mint located in Munich, Germany.  It was commissioned by the Republic of Somalia to commemorate
Africa's largest land mammal, the African Elephant.  Zambia issued an African Wildlife Elephant Series from 1999 to 2003.
The official currency of Somalia is the Shilling, which traces its roots back to the colonial British East African Shilling.
This African Wildlife Series Silver Bullion Coin is one of several commemorative coins minted since the formation of the
Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in 2004 after Kenyan-led peace talks.
As with all the other bullion coins of this series, each individual piece has been struck using 1 troy ounce of .999 fine
Silver and carries a face value of 100 shillings.  They are struck in a high quality proof-like uncirculated finish with
extremely crisp detailed imagery using the latest techniques in modern minting.  All are 39mm in diameter and have
reeded edges.  The coins come encased in either a single protective air-tite or in a tube of 20.
On the reverse of the coin, the magnificent artwork captures the tender side of a mother elephant with her young calf,
walking alongside.  Great care has been taken to capture all the details from the texture of their tough hides to the pointed
shape of their tusks.  In the background you will see the impressive details of the African Savanna such as the umbrella
thorn trees and the flock of birds appearing in the distant sky.  Printed along the outer edge is the series title, the animal's
name and the coin's weight and purity.
The obverse side of the coin has the Somalian Coat of Arms as a symbol of national pride.  This emblem depicts two
leopards upholding a shield, decorated with the same five-pointed star of the Somalian flag.  They are supported by a
set of crossed spears and palm fonds, which are entwined with a ribbon.  The crest is encircled by a border of text,
inscribed with the coin's mintage year, denomination and country of orgin.
As in the past years of the series, the 2015 Bullion Coin will probably have a small limited mintage of under 200,000
whereas, the UNC. American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin of 2014 had a whopping mintage of 44,006,000.  The African Wildlife
Elephant Series has seen a continued increase in price over the Silver investment value due to the rarity of mintages and the
growing worldwide collectible popularity.
Actual mintage numbers are not widely reported for verification, but here are the numbers I have found:
2004            5,000		2010       120,000
2005            5,000		2011       170,000
2006            5,000		2012       80,000
2007            5,000		2013     130,000
2008            5,000		2014       TBD
2009       130,000		2015       TBD
The series has come in various forms through the years and all have low mintage numbers
1 oz .999 fine SILVER UNC. Bullion Coins sold by individual piece or by a tube of 20
Individual SILVER PROOF  1 oz coins  estimated mintages around 3,000
1 oz SILVER UNC. colored, GOLD UNC. plated, and SILVER UNC. with a privy mark
KILO .999 fine SILVER coins
4 coin SILVER PROOF Sets  est. mintage of 2,000
1 oz .999 fine GOLD UNC. Bullion Coins
1/50 oz GOLD PROOF
1/25 oz GOLD PROOF
5 oz GOLD PROOF in wooden box with COA and a mintage of just 99 pieces