The South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallion

“AIDS in no longer a disease; it is a human right’s issue,” President Nelson Mandela – South Africa Celebrates Nelson Mandela Day.

By Melanie Nathan, July 18, 2012.

Capturing the legacy of one of the most influential icons in the world, The South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) and The Scoin Shop (Scoin) has announced the release of a special commemorative Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS medallion, the first of its kind for sale in the United States.

The SAGCE, which has the worldwide rights to distribute the Mandela and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate images on medallions, is introducing the new limited edition two piece set, consisting of a half ounce gold and one ounce silver, depicting Nobel Prize recipient and former South African President Nelson Mandela’s image on the obverse and the AIDs ribbon on the reverse, together with his renowned quote: “AIDS is no longer a disease, it’s a human rights issue.”

The medallion, minted by the Mint of Norway, as part of their Nobel Peace Laureate Program, is being released to coincide with the International AIDS Conference 2012 being held in Washington D.C. from July 22, 2012 to July 27, 2012. The set has a low mintage of 2,500 and the silver medallion’s ribbon is in red, making it a unique collectible.

A collectible in gold and silver, it is designed to encourage awareness about HIV/AIDS, promote the legacy of Nelson Mandela and will provide a percentage of its sales to charitable funding, including The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Nobel Institute. To date some 70,000 medallions have been sold and several million dollars has been given to these organizations from royalties generated.

Alan Demby, Chairman of The South African Gold Coin Exchange, who as a guest at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony met and later shared the dance floor with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, notes:

“We are proud to recognize and celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela by bringing the Mandela Medallion to the United States, as an implement of awareness, especially at this time when the hope for HIV/AIDS awareness is, in the words of the IAC 2012 theme, “Turning the Tide Together.”  This is a crucial time where there is a global commitment to change the course of the epidemic.”

Demby was invited again to Oslo for Aung San Suu Kyi’s Nobel lecture, where he personally presented her with a gold medallion minted, with her image, in her honor.

“Now that we are launching in the U.S.A. we will be seeking to add local HIV/AIDS organizations in the United States to benefit from the sales.”

The South African Gold Coin Exchange is a renowned and trusted name in international gold and bullion buying circles. It is the largest distributor of gold, bullion and collectable coins in South Africa, has been a household name among collectable coin enthusiasts and numismatists worldwide and in the coin industry in South Africa since 1972.   SAGCE has successfully marketed a wide range of precious metal and gold coins minted from all the leading Mints of the world.

The Scoin Shop, the retail division of The South African Gold Coin Exchange, has 35 stores in South Africa and the UK, and is the only retail chain of coin stores in the world. It has a staff complement of over 500 full time and part time staff making it one of the biggest coin dealers in the world in terms of personnel.

Launch events to be hosted by the Consul Generals and SAGCE’s Chairman, Alan Demby, will be held at the South African Consulates in New York City and Chicago on August 01 and August 14, respectively.

Anyone interested in the Medallions should contact Melanie Nathan at [email protected]  or purchases at http://www.sagoldcoin.co.za/mandela-coins-medallions/nelson-mandela-red-ribbon-twin-set

I will also be at the AIDS 2012 Conference, reporting the stories, seeking organizations to benefit from the Medallion and in NYC on August 2012 to celebrate the launch at the South African Consulate.