Australia celebrates two of the worlds premier sporting events with gold and silver coins

Australia loves its sport to the degree that it’s almost a national defining characteristic. Punching above their weight in many disciplines, they almost always put on a good show. With two major events occurring next year, it was pretty obvious that the Royal Australian mint was going to mark them with some new numismatic releases and that is indeed the case.

First up is that absolute behemoth of sporting spectacles, the FIFA World Cup. Due to take place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018, the tournament involves the 32 qualifying national teams competing for the most covetted trophy in international football. Ironically, Australia are not amongst them, having failed to qualify, but we don’t doubt they’ll follow it with rapt attention regardless. Conversely, Iceland and Panama are competing in the finals for the first time.

Two coins are available to mark the World Cup, both carrying identical designs on their reverse (all Royal Australian Mint coins have the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on their obverse). It’s a fairly routine design – the trophy sits bottom-centre and there’s a classically Antipodean border design around the rest, featuring kangaroos of course. A smattering of inscriptions are efficiently placed. Available as a 1 oz silver or a ¼ oz gold, they’re both available now.

Second to appear is an athletic event. Held every four years, in 2018 the Commonwealth Games kicks off for the twenty-first time. It will be held in Australia for the fifth time, on this occasion in Australia’s Gold Coast. The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organisation of 52 member states that are mostly former territories of the British Empire. Including some small dependencies, 69 different teams will compete in 2018 in what is the highest profile manifestation of the organisation.

Another pair, this time a 1 oz silver and a ½ oz gold, these are the second wave of Commonwealth Games coins issued by the RAM after a first pair back in March. The gold and silver variants again have the same reverse design by Australian artist, Jenna Lee. A series of concentric circles each featuring a different aboriginal-style pattern looks good, although we’re not sure how it ties in with the event. Inscriptions are kept to an outermost ring and include inspirational words meant to evoke the power of sport and its effect on us. Again, these are available now.

2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD AND SILVER COINS

The courage to follow their dreams can make an athlete persist through countless training sessions, through defeat and often physical pain, and through serious injury and mental exertion. Struck in pure fine silver, these brilliant coins are an invitation for all to share the dream of our athletes, as they take part in the biggest Australian sporting event of the decade, the XXI Commonwealth Games.

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP GOLD AND SILVER COINS

The Royal Australian Mint has produced two precious metal coins to celebrate the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Struck on fine silver and gold, the coin design features a pattern of footballs and kangaroos surrounding the FIFA World Cup Trophy. These coins are Australia’s contribution to the Official International Commemorative Coin Collection. The Royal Australian Mint will be making the individual coins available to purchase through our eShop and wholesale channels.

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2018 FIFA SILVER 2018 FIFA GOLD 2018 WCG SILVER 2018 WCG GOLD
DENOMINATION $1 AUD $25 AUD €50 Euro €50 Euro
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver 0.9999 gold 0.999 silver 0.9999 gold
WEIGHT 31.1 grams 7.78 grams 31.1 grams 15.55 grams
DIAMETER 40.00 mm 21.69 mm 40.00 mm 30.00 mm
FINISH Proof Proof Uncirculated Proof
PRICE $100.00 AUD $750.00 AUD $85.00 AUD $1995.00 AUD
MINTAGE 30,000 3,500 10,000 1,000
BOX / COA Yes / Yes Yes / Yes Yes / Yes Yes / Yes