Monday, August 13, 2012

£2 London 2012 Handover to Rio Coin

A final coin in the Olympic and Paralympic Coin collection from The Royal Mint has been revealed today, £2 London 2012 Handover to Rio Coin. The coin is to commemorate London handed over the Olympic mantle to the next Host City, Rio de Janeiro. Royal Mint has created a collection of coins in Base Metal to Brilliant Uncirculated standard, Silver Proof, Silver Piedfort Proof and Gold Proof as a fitting way for collectors to mark the end London 2012 Olympic. The London 2012 Handover to Rio Coin design by Designer and silversmith Jonathan Olliffe. His Aquatics and Gymnastic coin designs were selected as part of the 50 pence Sports Collection.

london rio coin
'Handover to Rio' coin Credit: David Parry/PA Wire

The reverse of the London 2012 Handover Coin has many features that represent the Handover Ceremony, the focus of which are the two hands meeting, handing over the Olympic relay baton. This is symbolic of the Olympic athlete’s race but also serves as the symbol of two nations coming together, passing on the baton for future Games. The hands are embraced by a continuous sweeping flag; the flag of the United Kingdom sweeps down and twists to reveal the flag of Brazil. The pennant is on a continuous journey, symbolising the Olympic movement from London to Rio and beyond and as it twists and turns, five stripes are revealed, representing the five Olympic Rings. The movement suggests energy, excitement and an overall sense of celebration in anticipation of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The obverse of the coin features the current portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

The London 2012 Handover to Rio UK £2 Gold Proof Coin is housed in a wood-veneer presentation case and comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, whilst the Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort Proof £2 Coins are displayed in a black case. The Base Metal Coin comes in a superb presentation folder featuring interesting facts about the Closing Ceremony. View the London 2012 Handover to Rio UK £2 Coin.

You can visit Royal Mint website for more information about the coins at www.royalmint.com.