The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) commemorative collectable coins, the first two of a series, were launched recently at a Commonwealth Day celebration and the first day of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

Kate Jones, Minister for Commonwealth Games, and Donna Gates, Acting Gold Coast Mayor, joined Ross MacDiarmid, the Royal Australian Mint, to unveil the coin designs at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre. Brian Nourse, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, was also in attendance.

Around 2,018 silver coins and 500 gold proof coins have been minted, featuring a baton relay runner surrounded by the 70 Commonwealth nation flags, in the backdrop of the iconic Gold Coast skyline.

Minister Jones said that the gold and silver GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay coins featured the Gold Coast on a Royal Australian Mint coin for the first time and continued that it fitted to unveil the commemorative coins on the Commonwealth Day and see the setting off of the Queen’s Baton Relay from London. The Minister added that Her Majesty The Queen would hand the baton to the first relay runner at Buckingham Palace, marking the 230,000km journey through the Commonwealth, which would end at the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Games next April.

The minister shared the Queen’s Commonwealth Day Message with students and principals from around 112 schools in the GC2018 Gold Coast Schools Connect program. The Minister said that she was pleased to see so many students from the GC2018 Schools Connect Program embracing the spirit of the Commonwealth Games and getting involved in Commonwealth Day activities.

Donna Gates reiterated that it was an exciting day with the city being featured on a Royal Australian Mint coin for the first time. Meanwhile, MacDiarmid said that the Royal Australian Mint had a long-standing tradition of celebrating national events. The Queen’s Baton Relay was ideal for kicking off the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 Coin Program.

The limited-edition collectables, $5 QBR Silver Proof Coin (RRP AUD 150) and $25 QBR Gold Proof Coin (RRP AUD 800), are stated as open for purchase by collectable-seekers.