South Africa Mint yesterday has unveiled a set of new gold coins with the emblem of the 2010 World Cup. The coins are decorated with both the South African and German Coat-of-Arms a symbol of the hand-over from the 2006 German World Cup to South Africa. The miniature image of Soccer City on the reverse of the gold coin will celebrate the historical matches which will take place at the spectacular stadium in 2010, for generations to come. This is a gold coin that's being called "probably the rarest in the world". The South African Mint Company manually produced the coin at the site of the stadium that is due to host the first and final matches of the tournament in June next year.
Photo by: itn.co.uk
Deputy General Manager Natanya Van Niekerk of SA Mint said the quarter ounce (oz) gold coins formed part of a special launch set for the FIFA World Cup coin series. According to the company only 300 mintages of the Soccer City coin will be made. The logo on the coins was designed by a Johannesburg resident, De Abreu. The FIFA logo was especially designed with an African flair using the new flag's colours and the footballer portrayed in a San or rock painting style. The coins can be bought at the Mint's coin world shop in Midrand, at R4 500 each.
Photo by: iafrica.com
The minting of the commemorative coins for the soccer spectacle began in 2006 with a gold quarter ounce coin and a R2 silver crown. In 2007, the Mint added another coin to the series to celebrate the 2010 South African World Cup by adding a 1/10th ounce coin. The 2008 coin series also consisted of three coins and in 2009, the World Cup mascot Zakumi features on all three coins.
Source: itn.co.uk, iafrica.com, africanews.com, iol.co.za
