Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones has launched the first two commemorative coins for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on Commonwealth Day. Ms. Jones was joined by the Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates and Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid for the Commonwealth Day celebrations at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre.
“With the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games now a little more than a year away, it’s exciting to unveil these commemorative coins on Commonwealth Day,” Ms. Jones commented “These gold and silver GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay coins see the Gold Coast featured on a Royal Australian Mint coin for the very first time. It’s very fitting to unveil these commemorative coins today, because not only is it Commonwealth Day, but we’ll actually see the Queen’s Baton Relay set off from London. Tonight, Her Majesty The Queen will hand the baton to the first relay runner at Buckingham Palace to start its 230,000km journey through the Commonwealth, ending at the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Games next April.” Jones added.
Ms. Gates said the release of the GC2018 commemorative coins was an historic event for the Gold Coast. “With our city featured on a Royal Australian Mint coin for the first time and the Queen’s Baton commencing its journey to our city, this is an exciting day,” Ms. Gates commented “Commonwealth Day is yet another opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of the Commonwealth and our city’s relevance amongst the 70 nations and territories.”
Mr. MacDiarmid said the coin design features a baton relay runner surrounded by 70 flags symbolising the Commonwealth nations against a backdrop of the Gold Coast skyline.
“The Royal Australian Mint has a long-standing tradition for celebrating national events and the Queen’s Baton Relay is the perfect way to kick off the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 Coin Program,” MacDiarmid commented.