New Equestrian 50p coin released this month and a new game!!

A new 50p coin celebrating the sport of Horse riding was launched last week by the Royal Mint, to join circulation, celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

The coin, which features a race horse in mid air starting a jump, is one of 29 designs that represent the 29 Olympic and Paralympic sports to be contested during London 2012.

The Equestrian themed 50p was designed by Thomas Babbage of Shipston-on-Stour. Thomas chose to design the Equestrian coin as he was living in Austria when a report appeared about the Olympic coin competition and he decided to enter because he had a lot of free time. He was travelling through South America when his father called to inform him of his win.

Commenting on his win, Thomas said, “After knowing I had been in the running for a long time it was almost surreal to know I had won.”

Dave Knight, the Royal Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin, said: “Every one of the winners is making history. Their coins will become treasured mementos of the biggest sporting event to happen on UK shores for over half a century and we hope will encourage a new generation of collectors.

“Every coin captures the spirit, excitement and passion of the Olympics and Paralympics. In isolation each is a work of art, together they are an inspirational portrait of a sporting phenomenon. The Royal Mint is immensely proud to be part of London 2012 and we’re thrilled that this competition has enabled the general public to play a part too.”

His creation is one in a series of 29 officially licensed London 2012 50p commemorative coins, designed by members of the public as lasting mementos of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Many designs had to be assessed and approved by the official Olympic sporting Association to ensure an accurate depiction of the sport was portrayed before the coin was struck.

Thomas’s Equestrian design will be found on millions of 50p coins in people’s change from this month, when the Royal Mint’s London 2012 sports collection goes into general circulation. So look out in your change!

Alternatively a pristine uncirculated version of the Equestrian coin is available to buy. Visitwww.royalmint.com/sportscollection or call 0845 60 88 222 to purchase.