NELSON MANDELA 1994-99 MEDAL #310 + ROBBEN ISLAND MEDAL

Two MANDELA medals in this lot.

The gilt-metal example is in commemoration of Nelson Mandela's first 5 years in office as State President of the Republic of South Africa. 1994-1999. Not sure to whom it was presented. I have seen other examples and they are similarly number. This example bears the marking: "EGT 000310". The obverse depicts the bust of NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA whilst the reverse bears the Coat-of-Arms of South Africa with the text: PRESIDENT SOUTH AFRICA 1994-1999. It was probably presented to dignitaries during celebrations of the event (Not confirmed).

The 2nd medal is a crudely crafted brass medal with the impressed text: ROBBEN ISLAND. Other than that, there is nothing else on it. It is the shape & size of a medal including a nicely crafted suspender. I was told this was possibly made by political prisoners held in custody on Robben island.(Unconfirmed). The soldering and the simplicity of the design & parts indicate that this medal was not produced by an organisation on the same level as the S.A. Mint. (Rather workshop crafted). I bought this in an Antique shop in Cape Town approx 4 years ago.