Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The quarter ounce (1/4 oz) gold coins are denominated as Twenty-five Pounds (£25).
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with other denominations with the same reverse designs.
This quarter-ounce gold coin was issued by the Royal Mint as part of a nine-coin gold series dedicated to the upcoming XXX Olympiad, also known as the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The nine coins were divided in three themes - "Citius", "Altius" and "Fortius" after the Olympic motto, which translates from Latin as "faster, higher, stronger".
The Mercury gold coin is part of the Citius (faster) theme and depicts the Roman god Mercury (Latin: Mercurius). He is the god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, messages, communication (including divination), travellers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves. In his aspect as messenger of the gods, he is also the symbol of speed, so the coin represents the sport of running. |
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The coin depicts the Roman god Mercury wearing his characteristic winged helmet and holding his caduceus (a winged staff around which two snakes are intertwined) in his right hand.
Below and in front of him, two runners racing to left.
Above him, the five interlocking rings of the Olympic games.
Around left, the inscription · MERCURY ·. Around right, · CITIUS ·. Below, LONDON 2012.
The artist's initials JB (for John Bergdahl) are incuse in the field to the left of the runners.
The face value and date of issue are on the obverse. |
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