Coin minted for 2010 World Cup
2009-11-23 19:04
Johannesburg - Numismatists will have another collectible to covet with the minting of a pure gold quarter ounce coin on an antique press at Soccer City in Soweto on Monday, to commemorate next year's Fifa World Cup.
The "privy mark" of the stadium was struck into the coins, which form part of a launch set for the World Cup coin series, the South African Mint said in a statement.
An antique coin fly press was transported to the stadium for the occasion, it said.
The launch set contains coins featuring the official South African FIFA logo, with elements of the South African and German coat-of-arms symbolising the handover of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The 94 000 seat Soccer City will host the first and final matches of the World Cup.
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.
Earlier this year, a special "playful" coin was developed.
The crown-sized silver coin's design has four recesses and 4 small steel balls are included in the capsule so that the coin owner can score his own "goals" by rotating the coin.
A one ounce gold coin will be added to next year's coin series as well as a series of pure silver medallions.
The coins struck on Monday can be bought at the Mint's coin world shop in Midrand, at around R4 500 each.
- SAPA