Nelson Mandela coins and medallions lead the surge in Mandela memorabilia purchases on South African auction website bidorbuy. Top items include a Mandela centenary 1kg gold medallion that sold for R640,000 and a signed photograph on offer at R85,000.
According to South African online auction site bidorbuy, since Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital last month a demand for memorabilia of the anti-apartheid icon has surged, The Sunday Times has reported.
Last week about 550 Mandela-related items were sold, mostly coins and medallions, including a 1kg silver centenary Mandela medallion, which was sold for R12000 on auction, and a Mandela 155.5g gold centenary medallion that went for R95100.
“Nelson Mandela-related items have always been popular on bidorbuy. Now that the whole nation is holding its breath over [his] health the interest in Mandela-themed items has soared,” said Jaco Jonker, bidorbuy’s chief executive.
Jonker added that the search term “Mandela coins” climbed to fifth place in popularity on the site. “There are many Mandela coins and medallions listed,” he said.
Some of the Mandela coins include the R5 circulation coins, the 1994 presidential inauguration coin, the 2000 “smiling Mandela” coin and the 2008 coin minted to mark Mandela’s 90th birthday.
Jonker said interest in other Mandela memorabilia had also increased. Top items included: