Australia 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Sports Collection Series -Table Tennis 50c
Table Tennis was played at competitive levels at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 after being held for the very first time at the previous Games in Manchester England in 2002. It was played in mens and womens singles and doubles and team events. Singapore dominated the events with skill, speed and concentration taking home 4 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Seen above the Table Tennis commemorative 50c produced by the Royal Australian Mint was one of 16 coins released in a series depicting each core sport of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006. Each coin was released as non-circulating legal tender or NCLT as it is shortened to and were not issued for circulation but purely as collector coins. The informative card issued with the coin features a sticker of "Karak" the Games mascot indicating it is an official licensed product of the 2006 Games. Release price was $4.95.
The reverse design is by Royal Australian Mint designer Wojciech Pietranik and depicts Table Tennis being played. It also features the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 logo. The obverse is the standard Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II depicted on all Australian coins since 1999. It is the standard 12 sided 50c shape and weighs 15.55g. It is 31.51mm and made from Cupro Nickel (75% copper and 25% nickel).
As well as the 15 other sporting coins in this series, a commemorative 50c, $1, $5 and $10 coins were also issued. The 15 other sporting coins were released in groups throughout 2005 and early 2006 before the Games started. This Table Tennis coin was in the third release in November 2005.
15,500 of the complete collection of the sporting coins, the student design 50c and the Queen's Baton Relay $5 were issued in a special folder. 22,502 of these Table Tennis coins were released which included those in the complete collection.
Posted by harrisk at December 9, 2010 7:06 AM
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