Paralympic Games Coins and Medallions
Extremely low worldwide mintages are expected to generate keen collector interest in the official Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games commemorative coins, which were launched in Sydney today.
The gold, silver and bronze coins were unveiled by Australia’s two official mints, the Royal Australian Mint and The Perth Mint, along with miniature replicas of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Victory Medals.
Launching the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Coin and Medallion Programs on behalf of the two mints, the Controller of the Royal Australian Mint, Mr Graeme Moffatt, said only 7,500 gold, 15,000 silver and 30,000 bronze coins would be released internationally. Within these mintages, 2000 Three-Coin Sets will be issued, comprising all three coins.
‘By comparison to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Coin Program – of which there are 240,000 gold, 1.6 million silver and an unlimited number of bronze coins – the Paralympic coins are being issued in extremely low numbers, which should ensure their scarcity, and hence their potential for appreciation over time,’ Mr Moffatt said.
‘Already there has been significant overseas interest in the Paralympic coins, and given their low mintages, we are confident they will sell out rapidly.’
Mr Moffatt pointed out that thousands of ordinary Australians, not necessarily coin buffs, had bought the official Olympic coins and medallions, many purchasing them as presents.
‘Coins and medallions are perfect mementoes of the Games because they have prestige and presence that enhances, rather than fades, with time,’ he said.
Each Paralympic coin has the logo of the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee featured in colour and all were designed by Wojciech Pietranik, of the Royal Australian Mint, who also designed the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Victory Medals.
Also released today is a boxed set of gold, silver and bronze small-scale replica Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Victory Medals, providing unique mementos of the Games of the XI Paralympiad.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has allowed the two Australian mints, for the first time, to make the replica commemorative victory medals.
The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Victory Medals, on which the replica medallions are based, were designed by Geelong-born Dr Stuart Devlin, AO, CMG, who holds a Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweller to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
One side of the medals features the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House surrounded by images of seven of the Paralympic sports venues. The other side depicts the SPOC and IPC logos.
A total of 5,000 boxed sets, each housing a gold-plated, a silver-plated and a bronze replica victory medal, will be released.
Mr Don Mackay-Coghill, the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Corporation, operator of The Perth Mint, said this represented the opportunity to collect a truly unique Paralympic memento at an affordable price.
‘Stuart Devlin’s Paralympic Victory Medal design has been universally acclaimed and we are delighted to be able to offer collectors the chance to acquire miniature replicas of these magnificent victory medals in this special boxed set,’ he said.
‘Given the limited number of sets to be released worldwide, an early sell-out is likely.’
SPOC Chief Executive Lois Appleby thanked both the Royal Australian Mint and The Perth Mint, which are jointly producing the coins and medallions, saying they had produced ‘a superb Paralympic collection.’
‘The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games is the largest held so far, the first for the new Millennium and the first in the Southern Hemisphere. So these official Paralympic coins and medallions reflect the significance of our great event,’ she said.
Sales of the official Paralympic coins and medallions are set to yield significant funds that will contribute to the success of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
The Sydney 2000 Paralympic coins and medallions are available in Australia through coin dealers, the two Mints, selected Australia Post outlets, or by telephoning 1300 652 025.
Sydney 2000 Paralympic coin and medallion program
Fact Sheet
– Coin program
A total of 52,500 official coins will be issued by The Perth Mint and the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
The coins were designed by Royal Australian Mint designer and engraver, Wojciech Pietranik, who also designed the Sydney 2000 Olympic Victory Medals.
7,500 pure gold, 10gram, proof coins will be released.
15,000 pure silver, 1oz, proof coins will be released.
30,000 bronze coins will be released.
Within the above mintages, 2,000 3-Coin Sets (1 gold, 1 silver & 1 bronze coin) will be issued.
All three coins feature the logo of the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee (SPOC) on the rear, in the colours of red, blue and green, which are the three colours representing ‘Mind, Body, Spirit’– the official motto of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
– Medallion program
The official medallions are miniature replicas of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Victory Medals.
This is the first time replica medallions have been produced for a Paralympic Games.
The medallions were designed by Australian-born Dr Stuart Devlin, AO, CMG, Goldsmith and Jeweller to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The UK-based master coin designer also designed Australia’s decimal currency and, more recently, the 25 precious metal coins of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Coin Collection.
5,000 boxed sets, each consisting of a gold-plated, a silver-plated and a bronze medallion will be produced and issued for sale.
Source: SOCOG