A total of 487,500 coins of 2.5 euros allusive to Portugal's participation in the Beijing Olympics started circulating on Thursday at Continente supermarket subsidiaries benefiting the National Olympic Mission.
The coins, made of a copper and nickel alloy, were designed by sculptor Jose Teixeira and presented in Lisbon, Portugal's capital, on Thursday during a ceremony attended by many athletes to compete in the Olympic Games and two of the former marathon Olympic champions Carlos Lopes and Rosa Mota.
These coins are the first with 2.5 euros value in all Europe and will be given as change to costumers of the Continente supermarkets throughout the country on the 8th of May, June, July and August, since the Olympic Games begin the eight day of the eight month.
Also, National Printing house-Portugal's Coin House will sell 12,500 identical silver collector's coins for 45 euros each one (69 U.S. dollars), with case, guarantee certificate and serial number.
Paula Bernardino was the first person that received one of these coins and said she will keep it.
"Currently, Portuguese sport and the Olympic Mission are strong currency. Are coins that worth in the European and World context", Portuguese State of Youth and Sports minister Laurentino Dias said, when reaffirming that national sport is in "its best moment".
At three months far from the Olympic Games opening, the Olympic Committee of Portugal (COP) director Vicente Moura said that Portugal currently has 60 classified athletes and expects that ten more will go, an exceptional number.
"Work is what gives good luck. We are going to have good luck because we have worked for this," Moura said while thanking the government for the authorization of the commemorative coin.
Source: Xinhua
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