CRICKET WORLD CUP 2003
World Cup 50c coin issued
4 November 2002
The South African Mint has launched a new 50c coin carrying the image of Jonty Rhodes to commemorate the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. Rhodes, the patron of the Cricket World Cup volunteers' committee, was present at the unveiling of the coin.
"The image on the coin, of one of South Africa's greatest sporting icons is a tribute to Jonty Rhodes for what he has not only done on the field of play, but also off of it in the last 10 years of representing South Africa. He has been a role model for not only South Africans but for sports lovers worldwide. Fielding in the point area he may well be the greatest fielder of all time", were the fitting words of Dr Ali Bacher at the launch held at the Mint in Centurion.
South Africa will be hosting the 2003 Cricket World Cup from 8 February to 24 March 2003. The Cricket World Cup will be one of, if not the major, world sporting events of 2003.
Coin issues successes
In
the past various countries in the world have used their standard circulation coins to celebrate an event or aspects of their cultures. Such new coin issue programs have been carried out in amongst others the USA, Canada, Australia and Austria with much success.
To celebrate South Africa’s hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 – the first time the honour had been bestowed upon the country – permission was granted to manufacture 50c circulation coins featuring the theme of Cricket. The coins go into circulation from 31 October 2002.
On the obverse of the coin, the new South African coat-of-arms is depicted together with the date "2003" and the Sepedi and Sesotho words "Afrika Borwa", meaning South Africa. The reverse of the 50c coin shows a cricketer (Rhodes) diving towards the wicket in an attempt to run a batsman out, showing the stunning action from his great run out of Inzamam ul-Haq at the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Australia that captured the world's imagination.
The dive is also to reflect South Africa's dedication and spirit towards the game and towards the Cricket World Cup in particular.
Special Protea Series Launch Set
In addition to the launch of the "Cricket" 50c circulation coin, an early Special Protea Series Launch Set dated 2003, has also been released to honour South Africa hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003. A limited edition of only 300 launch sets will be available worldwide.
The Special Launch Protea Set consists of a 1 oz pure gold coin (Au 999.9) with a mintmark. This unique mintmark features a stylized cricket ball and the letters "RSA". Also in the set are a 1/10th pure gold coin (Au 999.9) and a R1 sterling silver (Ag 925 Cu 75) crown size coin. The common obverses of all three coins portray South Africa's national flower, the protea (Protea cynaroides). The word "South Africa" and the date "2003" are also depicted.
The reverse of the 1-oz gold coin
features a batsman in a "sweep" position. The face value of the coin of "R25", the words "Protea" and "1 oz - Au 999.9" are also featured.
The reverse of the 1/10th oz gold coin features a cricket ball, stylized with the stumps and a bail. The face value of "R5", the words "Protea" and "1/10 oz - Au 999.9" are also depicted.
On the reverse of the R1 sterling silver crown, a fast bowler delivering a ball, is captured. A cricket wicket, the word "Protea" and the face value of "R1" also feature.
The stylized seam of a cricket-ball is modelled into the background of all three coins, linking the cricket theme on the coins. The special launch set will be sold at Coin World at the South African Mint for R5 225.
Managing Director of the South African Mint, Mr Wilfred Lautenberg, commented: "Here at the South African Mint we are in the business of making history. We believe that with every coin that we strike, we create an emblem that not only represents the South
African Mint or South Africa as a whole, but one that represents a particular time period in our country. These "cricket coins", the 50c circulation coin and the gold and silver Protea Commemorative Set, will probably outlive any other record of this great event. We are extremely proud to be part of this historical sport event".
(Source: United Cricket Board of South Africa)
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