250 Dollars Olympic Games

Reverse

Seated Nike holding laurel wreath over phoenix emerging from flames, Acropolis in background (1896 Olympic Participation Medal design)

Scripts: Greek, Latin

Lettering:
XXVIII OLYMPIC GAMES
ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟI
ΑΓΩΝΕΣ
$250

Designer: Nikiforos Litras

Edge

Reeded

Comment

Press release from Pobjoy Mint:

The British Virgin Islands Government have approved the release of a very special Olympic coin to commemorate the Olympic Games being held in Athens, Greece this year.

At the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, no gold medals were presented to the winners and no separate award ceremonies were held. Instead, all prizes were handed out by King George I at the closing ceremony on the last day. All competitors received some kind of award: first place competitors received a silver medal, a crown of olive branches and a certificate; second place competitors received a bronze medal, a crown of laurel and a certificate; and, in addition, every competitor received a commemorative medal.

The coin being released is a replica of the coin given to all competitors, using the same diameter, weight and design. The wonderfully intricate detail of the design was originally produced by the Greek artist Nikephoros Lytras. The coin depicts Nike, the Goddess of Victory seated on part of a temple. In one hand she holds a wreath of olive and in the other a sceptre. The wording “Olympic Games, 776 BC, C, 1896” is shown in Greek letters. In front of Nike flames and smoke can be see, out of which a phoenix is rising.

In the summer of this year, many eyes will be focussed on Athens, Greece for the XXVIII Olympiad when the Games return to Athens, the city that hosted the first modern Olympics. This unique coin is a fitting tribute to everything the Games represent. The coin also makes a superb addition to the two more traditional coins already issued by the British Virgin Islands. The coins will be issued with a special certificate the design for which is taken from the certificate awarded to competitors at the 1896 Olympic Games. The obverse of the coin carries an effigy of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD.

Screenshot from Pobjoy Priority Collectors News:

Interesting fact

Price

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 250 Dollars (Olympic Games 2004) 2004 coin.