Mankind’s fascination with gold was starkly illustrated at the recent Born Free Foundation’s 2007 Freedom Ball, held at London’s “The Room by the River”.
Among several items up for auction, that which most captured the imagination of the 600-odd guests in attendance (ticket price ₤150) was a one-ounce pure 24 carat gold medallion, part of the Nobel Peace Prize commemorative medallion programme featuring Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk.
Indeed, so captivated was the audience by this glittering Mint of Norway creation that the successful bidder paid a whopping ₤2 000 (R29 000) for the medallion, the current market value of which is worth in the region of R15 000.
The proceeds of this and other auctioned items have been donated to the Born Free Foundation, a charity founded in 1984 by Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers after they starred in the classic film, Born Free.
The Nobel Peace Prize medallion was donated by the South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE), the executive chairman of which, Alan Demby, comments: “I wasn’t all that surprised by the price realised at the auction, since one can readily explain the premium by reference to a combination of the worthy cause and the remarkable beauty of this exceptional work of art.”
He says the medallion has evolved into a sought-after collector’s item, with the bulk of the interest having emanated from South African collectors because the programme has been accorded little international exposure.
Demby notes that in the wake of the Born Free Foundation auction, the SAGCE has received “several” Nobel Peace Prize medallion inquiries from Britain.
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