World silver · Storage guide
Best storage options for the Somalian Elephant
The Somali Elephant is a popular 1 oz silver bullion coin with a design that changes each year. The standard 1 oz coin is 39 mm across and 3 mm thick, just larger than a modern silver Britannia, and it takes the H39 direct fit capsule.
1 oz Silver Elephant (39 mm)
Somalian Elephant specifications, designs and mintages
Every figure links to its source. Primary sources are mint publications and Freedom of Information responses. Secondary sources are Wikipedia, catalogues and dealers, used only where no primary figure is published. Where sources disagree we show both.
Specifications and the capsule that fits
| Size | Years | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Fineness | Capsule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1oz silver | 2004 onwards | 39.00 mm | 3 mm | 31.1 g | .999, later .9999 | H-39 direct fit | [1][2][3] |
Designs
| Year | Design | Designer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every year | A new African elephant scene, often an adult with a calf | — | [1] |
| Obverse, 2004 onwards | Coat of arms of Somalia, with the date and 100 shilling face value | — | [2][1] |
Key facts and key dates
- The Elephant is struck in Munich by the Bavarian State Mint for Somalia, which has issued it since 2004. Before 2004 the series was issued under Zambia. [2]
- It belongs to the African Wildlife series, and the reverse design changes every year. [1]
- The first Somalian 1oz silver Elephant, in 2004, had a mintage of 5,000. [4]
Download this data as a spreadsheet: somalian-elephant.csv
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What size capsule fits the Somalian Elephant?
The Somalian Elephant comes in these sizes and matching capsules: 1 oz Silver Elephant (39 mm). Match the capsule’s inside diameter to your coin.
What is the best way to store a Somalian Elephant?
Because the Elephant design is refreshed annually, collectors often keep a run of years. A capsule each keeps the frosted detail and fields free of fingerprints. A PVC-free acrylic capsule, either direct fit or black ring, protects the coin from handling, dust and air.
Want the story behind this coin? Read the full history of the Somalian Elephant.
Still measuring up? Try the capsule finder to match your coin in a couple of clicks, browse the coin size guide by diameter, or filter the full capsule range by size and holder type. Buy 20 of any capsule and a matching storage tube is added free.
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