News
Why a R245 souvenir coin set worth R8.88 has South Africans talking
It starts like many viral South African moments do. A casual shop visit. A phone camera. And a price tag that feels completely out of touch with reality.
In a Cape Town store, a woman filming a display of souvenir coins stumbles across a neatly packaged set labelled “original upgraded circulated coins”. Inside are coins most South Africans recognise instantly. The old one cent, two cent and five cent pieces, along with everyday change up to R5. Added together, the coins come to a total face value of R8.88.
The price on the shelf, however, reads R245.
Her reaction is immediate and unfiltered. “They are selling R8.88 for R245?” she says, disbelief clear in her voice. Within hours, the clip was circulating widely on TikTok, drawing thousands of views and sparking heated debate across social media platforms.
The coins everyone swears they already own
Part of what struck a nerve is just how familiar the contents of the set are. For many South Africans, especially those who grew up before small coins disappeared from daily use, these pieces still live in jars, drawers, old wallets or forgotten tins at home.
An off-camera voice in the video attempts to justify the price by pointing out that some of the coins are no longer in circulation. The one cent, two cent and five cent coins were officially withdrawn years ago and are no longer used for transactions.
The shopper remains unconvinced. Her response, suggesting she could easily find the same coins at home, echoes the thoughts of many viewers who felt the pricing crossed from novelty into absurdity.
Social media reacts with humour and frustration
Online reaction came fast and sharp. Many users questioned how everyday currency could suddenly be transformed into a high-value product simply by placing it in plastic packaging.
One TikTok user joked that the same collection could be sourced from the cushions of a couch. Others pointed out that circulated coins, even discontinued ones, are not typically seen as high-value collector items unless they are rare, in mint condition or linked to a specific historical moment.
Yet the comment section was not one-sided. Some defended the store, arguing that souvenir items are not sold for their monetary worth but for the story they tell. Packaging, presentation and the idea of taking home a complete set of South African coins can appeal strongly to tourists.
As one commenter bluntly put it, locals are not the target market. For international visitors whose currencies are stronger, R245 may feel insignificant for a physical memento of their trip.
@post.newspaperSouth African souvenir coin set priced at R245! For full story visit www.thepost.co.za♬ original sound – Post newspaper
A familiar tension in tourist hotspots
This moment taps into a long-running tension in popular tourist cities like Cape Town. Prices that feel outrageous to locals are often normalised in areas designed for visitors.
Souvenir shops sell meaning, memory and symbolism rather than raw value. A magnet, a beaded bracelet or a coin set is priced according to what it represents, not what it is worth on paper.
At the same time, viral moments like this expose the growing frustration many South Africans feel about being priced out of their own cities, even when the product in question is literally their own currency.
More than just coins
Beyond the laughs and outrage, the video highlights something deeper. It highlights how value can feel increasingly subjective in a post-pandemic economy, especially in cities where tourism plays a major role.
For some, the R245 coin set is a clever business move aimed squarely at tourists seeking something uniquely South African. For others, it symbolises how everyday realities can feel distorted when the local context is ignored.
Either way, the clip has done what viral moments do best. It has turned a small shop display into a national conversation about value, access and which products in South Africa are really meant for.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: Facebook/F. T. F Nation
