The UK and the world’s only gold coin retail chain, South Africa’s
The Scoin Shop, has opened its flagship store in London’s new Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. The launch showcases the
London 2012 Olympic Games commemorative gold coin collection.
This collection, struck in 22 carat gold from the British Royal Mint, is the only collection of UK gold coins to feature the iconic Olympic Rings and is part of the celebration of the 30th Olympiad.
“Faster”, representing the aspiration of Olympic athletes is the first of three gold coin sets that comprise:
- Neptune, God of the Sea;
- Mercury, God of Speed; and
- Diana, Goddess of Hunting.
The set has come together with modern day Olympic athletes in each design.
The collection encompasses time-honoured designs from the British sculptor John Bergdahl, with the obverse of each coin bearing the current numismatic portrait of Her Majesty The Queen created by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.
Alan Demby, executive chairman of Johannesburg-based The South African Gold Coin Exchange and founder of The Scoin Shop chain, reveals that during Britain’s 2011 summer, The Scoin Shop retailed more than 350 coins commemorating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at £1750 each. From the time of going on sale to date, this has been Scoin Shop UK’s fastest-selling commemorative gold coin.
“There is a marked upward trend in the value of some commemorative and rare gold coins rather than generic bullion coins owing to their limited mintage and the event they commemorate,” says Demby.
He cites, as a recent example, coins minted for the 2010 World Cup, which appreciated rapidly in a matter of months.