Third South African reptile, the Puff Adder, joins the Crocodile and Chameleon in gold tenth-ounce coin series

In all likelihood the most common and widely found snake in Africa, the Puff Adder (Bitis Arientans) is responsible for more snakebite deaths than any other African snake. A mixture of copious amounts of a very potent cytotoxic venom and a bad attitude have given the Puff Adder a reputation as a snake to avoid. Growing to around a metre in length, although specimens have been reported at almost double that, it’s found in all habitats except for true deserts, rain forests, and (tropical) alpine areas.

Quite a lazy and sluggish snake that relies heavily on camouflage, it can move and strike with surprising speed when necessary. Striking with great force, they can actually kill prey (mammals, birds, amphibians, and lizards) by impact and bite alone, although the venom will certainly finish it off. They’re good swimmers and climbers, even doing well in captivity, although they have a reputation for keeping the bad temper.  Giving birth to live young, litters of 80 or more are not uncommon and sometimes far higher.

The coin series from the South African Mint is now in its third year, with earlier coins depicting the awesome Nile Crocodile and the incredible Chameleon. The Puff Adder on this years coin is a fine depiction that fills the coin well without compromising too much on anatomical accuracy. It’s perhaps lacking a strong focal point and there are too many inscriptions (composition round the back please..), but it does a great job of showing the snake well on a coin this small. Struck to a proof finish in just a tenth of an ounce of four-nines gold, it’s a good compromise.

The obverse carries the date and the South African coat-of-arms. There are a couple of clean spaces that could have held the composition and keep the reverse a little less cluttered, but it’s a good traditional look. Only 500 of these coins will be available and they can be quite tricky to track down. Our US readers should be able to get one soon from APMEX who have it listed without price right now. They have the superb previous coin for $265, so we would expect the new one to hover around that mark. A nice addition for a mint with a history of fine nature coins.