Special coins minted for 2010 FIFA World Cup

SA Mint deputy general manager Natanya Van Niekerk told BuaNews that the quarter ounce (oz) gold coins formed part of a special launch set for the FIFA World Cup coin series.

The logo on the coins was designed by a Johannesburg resident, De Abreu. "The FIFA logo was especially designed with an African flair using the new flag's colours and the footballer portrayed in a San or rock painting style."

Elements from the South African Coat-of-Arms and the German Coat-of-Arms are also featured on the coin to symbolise the hand-over from the 2006 German World Cup to South Africa.

According to Van Niekerk, the miniature image of Soccer City on the reverse of the gold coin will celebrate the historical matches which will take place at the spectacular stadium in 2010, for generations to come.

Beginning in 2006 with a gold quarter ounce and a R2 Silver Crown, the mint partook in a worldwide coin program for the 2006 German World Cup.

In 2007, the mint added another coin to the series to celebrate the 2010 South African World Cup by adding a 1/10th oz coin.

The 2008 coin series also consisted of three coins and in 2009, the World Cup mascot, Zakumi took centre stage on all three coins. Also in 2009, a special "playful" coin was developed.

The crown-size silver coin's design has four recesses and four small steel balls which were included in a capsule so that the coin owner can score "his own goals" by rotating the coin.

A one oz gold coin will be added on next year's 2010 FIFA coin series as well as a series of pure silver medallions.

The stadium, originally known as the FNB Stadium, was widely regarded as the heart of football in South Africa.

Now renamed and reconstructed, Soccer City is one of the most artistic football venues on the African continent and will host the first and final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

The upgrades involved extending the upper tier to increase the capacity to 94 700; adding 99 more suites to bring the number to 184; constructing an encircling roof; adding new changing room facilities and installing new floodlighting.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews.