Alan Demby and Mandela grandaughter (Pic By httpwww.sagoldcoin.com)
On 11 February 1990 the world saw the release of one of the most iconic figures in history, Nelson Mandela. The image of Mandela walking slowly, together with members of his family, through the gates of the Victor Verster prison with his arm and fist raised in victory will always go down as the moment South Africa started its walk to democracy.
It has been 25 years since that magical day and The South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) and The Scoin Shop are honouring this turning point in South Africa’s history by launching the 1oz 25th Anniversary of Mandela’s Release Gold Medallion. The medallion will be released on 11 February at 2:14pm, the actual date and time of his release.
The medallion is unique and was designed and minted by the SAGCE in conjunction with the Mint of Norway and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It features the scene of Mandela’s release after his 27 years of imprisonment.
“We are thrilled to commemorate this special day. It will always be remembered as the day of new hope, for not only South Africa but the world. Mandela Medallions are the perfect way to remember our great Madiba and honour his legacy,” said Alan Demby, Executive Chairman of The SAGCE and The Scoin Shop.
The reverse of the medallion features an inscription which reads: “PEACE. DEMOCRACY. FREEDOM FOR ALL” along with the date, signifying the day’s importance for all the people of South Africa, irrespective of their race and creed.
“It has been just over a year since his passing but Mandela will live forever in our hearts. This is one of the moments that helped mould him into the icon we still love and honour today,” said Demby.
A 25th Anniversary medallion was recently auctioned at the annual FW de Klerk Gala Dinner celebrating ‘A quarter century of building and defending non-racial constitutional democracy’ on 2 February in Cape Town. The medallion fetched R110 000 with the proceeds of the medallion going to the FW de Klerk Foundation.
This exclusive medallion forms part of the Nobel Laureate Medallion Programme, which was authorised by the Nobel Institute. It sees certain laureates immortalised in medallions that are minted by the Mint of Norway and sold to generate royalties, which are donated to various organisations founded by the laureates.
The South African Gold Coin Exchange and The Scoin Shop are the exclusive worldwide distributors of these Nobel Peace medallions. Since the programme’s inception, over 100,000 medallions have been minted. Some notable laureates include Aung San Suu Kyi, Desmond Tutu, Frederik Willem de Klerk and Albert Luthuli.
