27/07/2002
The Royal Australian Mint announced today that it would present a special award to each Australian athlete who broke a world record at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The award, in the form of a plaque, will show the athletes name, event and details of the new record. Also part of the plaque will be the five special collector coins produced by the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the participation of the Australian team in the Games. The award would be presented after the athletes had returned to Australia.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Senator Ian Campbell, launched the coins in May 2002 at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, when five AIS-based Games athletes paraded images of the coins more than a metre in diameter.
The highlight of the five coin series is Australia's first true three-metal coin. A very limited mintage coin is made from three metals simulating the gold, silver and bronze medals that will be awarded to competition winners; the inner core is made from gold, surrounded by a silver centre ring and an outer copper ring. Only 5000 of these will be made, selling for $435 each.
The silver coin features an image of five athletes standing above a laurel wreath celebrating victory. The proof pure silver coin is in a special presentation case. Only 15,000 coins will be produced, selling for $60.00 each.
A bronze set contains three coins, two with designs of sporting equipment and a third coin showing the Australian Commonwealth Games logo pad-printed in blue. Only 20,000 of these sets will be produced, retailing at $38.50 each.
A percentage of funds from the sale of the coins will support the Australian Commonwealth Games team to Manchester. The coins are available from the Royal Australian Mint, coin dealers and selected Australian Post outlets (bronze set only at Australia Post).
| Coin | Description | Download |
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Special Awards Plaque 1000x656 pixel JPG |
JPG 216kB (Zip) |