The Royal Mint of Great Britain has revealed a series of commemorative coins to highlight sporting competitions in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Based on a public contest, which began in January 2009, the 29 winning designs were announced on October 13th.
This is the first time official British currency has been designed by the public. The winning coin designs were selected (by independent experts and representatives of the Royal Mint, the London 2012 Committee and the International Olympic Committee) from approximately 30,000 contest entries and approved by the Queen of England and the British Treasury.
The equestrian coin design was created by Thomas Babbage, an artist and schoolteacher from Shipston-on-Stour, in Warwickshire.
The 2012 Olympics commemorative coins will be released into nationwide circulation, beginning in November 2010.
Dave Knight, the Royal Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin, commented about the collectible London 2012 Olympics coins: “Every one of our twenty nine winners is making history. Their coins will become treasured mementos of the biggest sporting event to happen on UK shores in a generation, and will be around for generations to come.
“Every coin captures the spirit, excitement and passion of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the Royal Mint’s Dave Knight added. “In isolation each is a work of art,. Together they are an inspirational portrait of a sporting phenomenon. The Royal Mint is immensely proud to be part of London 2012 and we’re thrilled that this competition has enabled ordinary people to play a part too.”
Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Committee, also discussed the special coins.
“Coins are a part of the fabric of our daily life,” Lord Coe said, “so to have a range of coins designed specifically to celebrate London 2012 is a huge honour, made all the more special by the fact that members of the public have designed them. The 50p’s will be part of a long-lasting, wide-reaching cultural legacy that will benefit the entire nation and I’m looking forward to finding the first one in my change and collecting the entire range.”
All of the London 2012 Olympics commemorative coins bear 50-pence values, which is roughly equivalent to an American dollar.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held in London, England, running from July 27th through August 12th of 2012. Olympic equestrian competitions will take place in Greenwich Park.
Spectator tickets are expected to go on sale in March 2011 for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, with prices projected at 20 pounds (about 32 dollars) and up.
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