The South African Mint, a wholly owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank, has officially unveiled the full 2026 Martial Eagle range.
The collection marks the second chapter in the seven-coin Odyssey of the Sky series, following the debut of the Bateleur Eagle in 2025. Struck in 24-carat gold and 999 fine silver, the range features seven distinct denominations, each subject to strict mintage limits, to target global numismatic and precious-metal collectors.
Mintage limits and technical specifications
The 2026 issue comprises three gold denominations and four fine silver options:
Gold denominations (24ct): 1/4oz (limited to 1 000 units), 1oz (limited to 500 units), and 5oz (limited to 50 units).
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Silver denominations (999 Fine Silver): 1 oz (limited to 5 000 units), 2 oz (limited to 5 000 units), 5oz (limited to 500 units), and a 1kg coin restricted to 100 units.
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The reverse design of the gold coins displays a detailed close-up portrait of the martial eagle, while the fine-silver coins depict the bird perched on a branch with its wings spread. Both variations feature shared inscriptions of “The Odyssey” and “Martial Eagle,” accompanied by legal-tender denominations, hallmarks, and a geometric African framing pattern.
The range also includes two exclusive Krugerrand sets, one in gold and one in silver, featuring an Odyssey of the Sky coin paired with a Krugerrand carrying a specialised martial eagle privy mark.
The collection is said to draw parallels between the martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), Africa’s largest eagle, and high-precision minting processes.
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Highlighting the series’ positioning within the global numismatic market, Richard Collocott, managing director at the South African Mint, stated: “The Odyssey of the Sky is more than a coin series; it is a celebration of Africa’s extraordinary birdlife and the artistry that brings these stories to life through world-class minting. With the Martial Eagle, we continue that journey, offering collectors another beautifully crafted chapter in a series that is fast becoming one of our most distinctive modern collections.”
The complete 2026 Martial Eagle collection is now available for order through the South African Mint’s physical retail outlets and digital channels.