Central Bank of Brasil - Banco Central do Brasil has launched the first nine commemorative coins of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games numismatic programme: one gold, four silver and four circulation coins. The programme will comprise a total of 36 coins, which will be released by 2016.
The gold coin honors, in addition to Christ the Redeemer, the 100 meters, one of the sports that represent the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger).
The silver coins celebrate Rio de Janeiro: the obverse, with known landscapes where cariocas, the inhabitants of Rio, play sports such as rowing, running, cycling and beach volleyball; the reverse, with aspects of the culture and nature of the city and Brazil. Franciscana Dolphin, Bromeliad, Arches of Lapa and Bossa Nova inaugurate the four thematic series: Fauna, Flora, Architecture and Music, respectively.
The Olympic and Paralympic sports are the highlight of the circulation coins. In the first release, Athletics and Swimming represent two of the sports in which Brazil won more medals in Olympic Games; Golf and Paratriathlon, the two that will become part of the 2016 Games. The R$1 coins will be put into circulation by the banking network. A part of it will be sold in special blister packs for collection.
Coins characteristics & designs:
Gold coin:
Face value: 10 reais
Fineness: gold 900/1000
Diameter: 16mm
Weight: 4.4g
Edge: serrated
Finishing: proof
Mintage limit: 5,000
Price: R$1,180.00
Silver coins:
Face value: 5 reais
Fineness: silver 925/1000
Diameter: 40mm
Weight: 27g
Edge: serrated
Finishing: proof
Mintage limit: 25,000
Price: R$195.00
Circulation coins:
Face value: 1 real
Fineness: stainless steel (inner part) and brass plated steel (outer part)
Diameter: 27mm
Weight: 7g
Edge: serrated
Finishing: ordinary
Mintage limit: 20 million (maximum of 200 in blister packs) Price (blister packs): R$13.00
After the release, the coins may be purchased in Brazil at the Banco do Brasil (BB) website through a bank payment slip or, in the case of BB account holders, direct debit. The coins will also be on sale at the BB agencies. There, payment will be only in cash.
All projects were developed by the Banco Central do Brasil and Casa da Moeda (the Brazilian mint) teams, with the technical support of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee.
In 2015, on a date to be announced, two sets - one with the first four silver coins and another with the four circulation coins - will be available.
The second release of the Olympic Programme will take place in the first half of 2015.
