This set comprises the three London 2012 Countdown Coins issued between 2009 and 2011 and this year’s Official Olympic £5 Coin. All four have been struck in Sterling Silver to a Proof finish by the Royal Mint.
What’s more, the 2009 Countdown Coin is now SOLD OUT at the Royal Mint – but we have a small quantity remaining. The upshot of this is that only 495 of these four coin sets can ever be put together.
The design of the Official Olympic £5 Silver Coin was chosen as the result of a national competition, and it shows the London Skyline surrounded by pictograms of the Olympic Sports. It’s really captured the imagination of the public, and looks likely to become one of the most important commemorative pieces issued for London 2012.
The three silver Countdown coins were issued once a year from 2009 after the hosting duties for the Olympic Games were officially handed over from Beijing to London. The highly stylised coins represent a digital clock counting down and the sports Swimming, Cycling and Athletics. The designs are exceptionally striking – the 2009 coin sold out completely – and this is often the sign of a coin that will be talked about well into the future.
So to recap, your London 2012 Four Coin Silver Proof set contains the Official Olympic £5 Coin alongside the three Countdown coins issued from 2009 onward. Each has been struck to a Proof finish in Sterling Silver and there will only ever be 495 sets assembled.