Celebrate London 2012 Countdown Coins

Counting down to the most exciting sporting event in the world

On 6 July 2005 Jacques Rogge stood in front of the International Olympic Committee General Assembly in Singapore and announced that the Games of the 30th Olympiad in 2012 had been awarded to London. The London 2012 team, chaired by Sebastian Coe, together with its ambassadors in Singapore and its supporters in London and throughout the UK, responded instantaneously with jubilation, great excitement and even tears of joy.

For 17 days from 27 July the UK’s capital city will be the centre of the world’s attention as elite sportsmen and women descend on London for the ultimate sporting challenge, the Olympic Games, while the Paralympic Games will take place between 29 August and 9 September.

In 2009 The Royal Mint launched its Countdown to London 2012 Collection, consisting of four UK £5 coin designs, each struck in gold, silver and cupro-nickel. The designer of all four Countdown Coins, Claire Aldridge, an experienced engraver at The Royal Mint, explains, ‘I included three Olympic sports for the first three coins of the series: Swimming, Athletics and Cycling, with the final design encompassing what all the athletes will be striving for, to be on the winner’s podium.’