March 29, 2012 – With just months to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Royal Mint has launched on March 5, 2012 the fourth and final UK £5 coin in the Countdown to London 2012 Series in silver Proof, silver Piedfort and gold Proof.
Created to capture the excitement of the nation as the clock ticks down to London 2012, the series consists of four designs which have been launched annually since 2009, culminating in this, the ‘Games Time’ design for 2012 which completes the collection.
As with each of the previous three coins in the collection, the reverse of the Games Time coin has been designed by Royal Mint engraver, Claire Aldridge, whilst the obverse of the coin features The Queen’s portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS which has appeared on UK coins since 1998.
Great Britain / £5 / .925 Sterling Silver / Silver proof / 38.61 mm / 28.28 g / Design: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS (obverse) and Claire Aldridge (reverse) / Mintage: 30,000.
Whereas the 2009, 2010 and 2011 designs depict the sports of Swimming, Running and Cycling respectively, the fourth and final 2012 Games Time design features three athletes celebrating on the winners’ podium.
Great Britain / £5 / .925 Sterling Silver / Silver Piedfort / 38.61 mm / 56.56 g / Design: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS (obverse) and Claire Aldridge (reverse) / Mintage: 4,000.
The Games Time design is modern and innovative in its approach. The central element of the design is framed by a border which is unique to the Countdown Coins, inspired by the structure of the Olympic Stadium. Elements of a clock face representing the countdown to Games Time and the London 2012 emblem – in full colour – are also incorporated into the design, as is the wording XXX Olympiad and the year date of 2012.
Great Britain / £5 / 22 carat gold / Gold proof / 38.61 mm / 39.94 g / Design: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS (obverse) and Claire Aldridge (reverse) / Mintage: 3,000.
The Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort Countdown to London 2012 Coins are housed in a contemporary black soft-touch case with a specially designed Union Flag trim. Issue limits for both coins have been set to sell out as they did in 2009.
The Gold Proof Coin is presented in a premium wood veneer case and etched aluminium with the Union Flag design in shades of gold around the centre. A Gold Proof Four-Coin Set which contains the 2009, 2010 and 2011 coins alongside the 2012 Games Time coin is also available, presented in the same style of luxurious packaging as the Gold Proof Coin. All of the coins are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing the individual low mintages.
More information on this final coin of the Countdown series and all other products you can find on The Royal Mint’s website.