Olympic coin collection

Press, 11 June 1979, Page 14

Olympic coin collection

The New Zealand Olympic team will benefit from an issue of coins to be released in New Zealand on June 10. These coins have been minted by the Soviet Government to commemorate the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. The Naw Zealand Olympic Federation has already received a donation of $3OOO from Bullion Sales International, the Australian and New Zealand distributor for the Moscow Olympic coin programme. The New Zealand team will receive more than 4 per cent of the face value of New Zealand sales. Although the complete issue

comprises silver, gold and platinum coins, the silver coins will be released initially.

The silver collection includes 14 10 rouble and 14 five rouble coins. Each features a different Olympic scene. To make the coins easier for the public to collect, they are being released progressively in the period leading up to the Games. Detailed studies of running, swimming, cycling, canoeing, and equestrian events highlight the five coins in the first set. Prices for the initial sei are $125 for uncirculated quality, and $165 for proof.

These legal-tender Soviet coins commemorate the first Olympics to be held in Russia. They are also tho first Soviet coins to be minted in silver for more than 50 years. Only 450,000 of each silver coin 4s being minted, 1000 being allocated to New Zealand. The. picture shows the first five coins to be released in the 1980 Moscow silver coin collection. Three 10 rouble and two five rouble coins feature running, swimming, cycling, canoeing, and equestrian.