The MAPIC Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the retail real estate arena. SAGCE qualified in the best international retailer section; it had recently opened its second store in Bluewater, Kent, having opened five stores in South Africa this year. Six more planned for next year.

"We attracted the limelight because we are the world's only retail chain of coin shops, with a total of 25 outlets. The judges recognised the success we have achieved in taking this concept to the man in the street,” says Alan Demby, SAGCE's Executive Chairman.

Scoin basically re-invented how coin dealers can operate in malls. Demby maintains that without such an approach, it would have been unable for SAGCE, or anyone else, for that matter, to roll out coin shops.

More than 7 000 people attended the MAPIC Fair, among them 2 000 retailers and hundreds of property developers, including delegates from France, Italy, the UK, Belgium, Russia, Spain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and Turkey.

According to Demby: "As far as we can ascertain, Scoin is the first South African retailer to be nominated for an award like this."

He contends that with currencies like Euros, Pounds and the Dollar falling out of favour, people worldwide are demanding a form of currency that is not subject to political interference, namely gold.

"If there is one product that is universal and can be understood internationally, it's gold. The Krugerrand from South Africa and the Maple Leaf gold coins from Canada are world brands that are traded internationally. We hope to create a secure and friendly environment where people can view coins at their leisure and start becoming collectors via our international Scoin Shop brand."

"As our mission statement clearly says: one man, one oz."