Olympic Fifty Pence Design Competition
14th January 2009
How you can coin it at the Mint
THE ROYAL Mint is calling on the public to come up with new designs for the 50p coin.
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design the coin will celebrate the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The competition is open to everyone over 13 and 27 winning designs will be selected.
Each will depict a different Olympic or Paralympic sport and will feature on the back of millions of 50 pence pieces from March 2010.
A separate children's competition will be launched by Blue Peter and the final design will be chosen from entries from secondary schools.
Andrew Stafford, chief executive of the Royal Mint, said: "We are proud to be involved in this monumental event and to be able to involve the public in the creation of these celebratory coins, which will be found in the nation's change for many years to come.
All the rules are available at the contest website: www.royalmintcompetition.co.uk. The closing date is April 24.

2008 Two Pounds Coin - Olympic Games Handover Ceremony
There is a two pound coin for 2008 to commemorate the Olympic Games Handover Ceremony.

Since 1986. the Royal Mint has issued two pound coins, often with special commemorative themes. For 2008, there is one for the Centenary of the 1908 London Olympic Games. There is also a "definitive" version in addition.
According to the Royal Mint

In 2008 the Royal Mint is striking a new commemorative £2 coin with a specially designed reverse celebrating the Olympic Games Handover Ceremony. The £2 coin is displayed in an attractive folder rich in imagery and information on the Olympic Games Handover Ceremony. The coin is subject to a strict promotional embargo date of 24th August 2008 - The 2008 £2 coin bears a special commemorative design on its reverse - The commemorative coin is displayed in an informative and fully illustrated presentation folder.

The Olympic Games Handover Ceremony £2 in Presentation Folder
The £2 coin for 2008, struck in honour of the Olympic Games Handover Ceremony, displays on its reverse the commemorative design specially created by Royal Mint Engraving Team for this celebration. Produced to Brilliant Uncirculated standard, each coin is presented in a beautifully illustrated folder.

The Olympic Games Handover Ceremony £2 Coin
Celebrating the successful London 2012 bid and symbolising the Handover Ceremony which took place on the 24th August 2008 at the close of the Beijing Olympic Games. The first major event for London 2012 are the Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. At each of these events there will be a cermony to mark the official handover of the Games to the next Host City. The Olympic Flag is passed from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London, followed by a short performance inviting the world to London for the 2012 Games.

Reverse
The design that graces the reverse is by Royal Mint Engraving Team, who chose as the central feature of the Olympic Flag and the London 2012 logo. The words "BEIJING 2008" and "LONDON 2012" surround the design along the outer ring.

Different Versions

• Ordinary circulation version, which should be available from banks and post offices during the year.
• Specimen version, issued in Royal Mint folder. This has a superior finish compared with the ordinary coins, so will be preferred by most collectors. the folders are also very attractive and informative, and made interesting and unusual gifts.
• Silver Proof version, with the outer part gold plated.
• Piedfort Proof version, similar but made double weight, with a lower mintage.
• Gold Proof version, bi-coloured in 22 carat gold.

Obverse
The Fourth Portrait
The fourth of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank Broadley, FRBS, FSNAD, whose initials IRB appear under the head, as used on all British coins from 1998.
The legend (inscription) reads:
ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF
TWO POUNDS

Reverse
The reverse shows a simple but pleasing design.
The legend (inscription) reads:
BEIJING 2008
LONDON 2012

Edge
I CALL UPON THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD

Specifications

Diameter	Weight	Alloy	Gold Content
28.40	15.97	.9166	0.4707

Notes
Diameter = millimetres.
Weight = Gross weight in grams.
Gold Content = Actual fine gold content in troy ounces.

Prices
Prices & Availability
The prices quoted in the US $ column may be out of date due to currency fluctuations.

Date	Description	Issue Limit	Official Issue Price	Availability	Our Price £	Price $
2008	1908 London Olympics Centenary Gold Proof Two Pound Coin	TBC	£450	Yes	£675	$825

Notes on Table
Issue Price = Official Royal Mint issue price.
Price £ = Our price in pounds sterling.
Price $ = Our price in US dollars.

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Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10,
Insured Shipping $20
Canada Airmail $15,
Insured Shipping via Fedex $40