Royal Mint unveils London 2012 Olympics commemorative coins

The Royal Mint of Great Britain has revealed a series of commemorative coins to highlight sporting competitions in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Based on a public contest, which began in January 2009, the 29 winning designs were announced on October 13th.

This is the first time official British currency has been designed by the public. The winning coin designs were selected (by independent experts and representatives of the Royal Mint, the London 2012 Committee and the International Olympic Committee) from approximately 30,000 contest entries and approved by the Queen of England and the British Treasury.

The equestrian coin design was created by Thomas Babbage, an artist and schoolteacher from Shipston-on-Stour, in Warwickshire.