The week in the run up to Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday saw a record £4 million worth of gold and silver medallions bearing the living icon’s image nearly sell out from the UK and South African-based Scoin Shop stores – the world’s and UK’s only gold coin retail chain.
Scoin Shop founder, international coin dealer and bullion expert Alan Demby commented, “The increased interest in Mandela is part of a general upward trend of consumers investing in commemorative coins due to their limited mintage and rarity. The recent Diamond Jubilee and Royal Wedding saw sales of commemorative coins retail on par with bullion coins for the first time. Few can dispute that Nelson Mandela is a living legend, and with much of the struggle for the ending of apartheid fought from the UK, there will always be significant interest in his life and legacy.”
The collectable Mandela medallions are part of the Nobel Peace Prize commemorative medallion programme, featuring Nelson Mandela and the inscription “A Long Walk to Freedom”. The design of the Mandela medallions, minted by the Mint of Norway, have been approved by the Nobel Institute as well as the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
A percentage of all sales of Mandela medallions and coins are given to The Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as the Nobel Institute.
