2018 Invictus Games for wounded soldiers is celebrated on new Australian silver coin

Being seriously injured while serving in the military isn’t a sign that an active life has ended. Those that serve in combat are already those amongst us with the greatest drive to overcome obstacles, so why should that end when that service does? Prince Harry of the British Royal Family understood that is doesn’t and helped create and popularise the Invictus Games. Named after the Latin word for ‘undefeated’, the games are a kind of Olympics for wounded, sick or injured military personnel.

Launched in 2014 in London, it’s an almost annual affair (not in 2015) that has subsequently been held in the United States and then Canada. In 2018, it will be held in Sydney, Australia, and the participating countries have risen to 18. There will be 12 sporting events, ranging from archery to wheelchair tennis. There are no games in 2019, but Rotterdam & The Hague in the Netherlands will host it in 2020.

The Royal Australian Mint almost always issues a coin for sporting events in the country and the 2018 Invictus Games are no exception. We like the coin they’ve produced. Three athletes are posing to the left, with the title of the event laid out in such a way that colouring three letters forms the phrase ‘I AM’. This event is about the people and not the venue, so the RAM have done the right thing in focusing the design on the athletes themselves. Struck in an ounce of fine silver and to a proof finish, it has a mintage of 2,018 pieces and is available to order now. It comes boxed and with a certificate of authenticity, and will sell for $150.00 AUD. The games themselves will run from 20-27 October.