A Celebration of Britain

A tribute to our past, a toast to our future

Embark on a spectacular journey of discovery through the mind, body and spirit of our great nation. The mind, representing the mental strength of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and our nation’s achievements across the arts, technology and science.

The body, celebrating the physical strength of our athletes, while exploring the wonders of the natural world across Britain. The spirit, praising the inner strength of our athletes, while portraying different aspects that occur across British life.

The inscription and central image are brought together by a series of interesting lines that cross the coin's surface. These lines are taken from The Golden Mean and have been given both practical and symbolic meaning. As a symbol of aesthetic perfection, they represent man’s attempts to explain and harness natural beauty for his own creations; something common to the iconic images on these coins.

Celebrate our nation’s achievements across the arts, technology and science

The first theme is the strength of mind and mental vigour, shown by great thinkers in our past and by our Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they prepare for London 2012. The strength of mind theme also embodies our nation’s achievements across all of the arts, as well as in the development of both science and in our technological innovation.

Explore the natural wonders across Britain

The second theme is the strength of body celebrating our athletes’ physical power whilst exploring the wonders of Britain’s natural world through its landscapes and distinctive fauna and flora. Yet it is also about how we’re building for the future. Over the next two years as London 2012 gets closer, the world’s attention will turn to the capital and Britain as never before. The Olympic Flame that is coming to our shores will illuminate the beauty and depth of our character, inviting the world to share it with us.

Portraying the British strength of spirit

The third theme is the unyielding strength of spirit that underlines our athletes’ inner will and fortitude, while simultaneously portraying aspects of national life and the psyche of our nation. This strength of spirit is the symbols and emblems representing our key institutions and key qualities: diversity, tolerance, liberty, courage, humour, music, pageantry, union and free speech. It is this strength of spirit that promises to bring together communities across the country, leaving a legacy that will change cultural life forever.