Eesti Pank Issues a Collector Coin Dedicated to the Winter Olympic Games

On 10 February, the day of opening the Turin Winter Olympics, silver collector coins dedicated to the Olympic Games and issued by Eesti Pank will be available for purchase. From tomorrow, February 7, it will be possible to start booking the coins.

The front side, or obverse, of the coins, which are designed by the artist Mati Karmin, carries the national coat of arms of the Republic of Estonia, the text 'Eesti Vabariik', and the year of issue - 2006. The reverse bears a gold application in the shape of a skier, the symbols of the Estonian Olympic Committee, and the text '10 KROONI'. The total of 5,000 coins were minted by the Mint of Finland. The collector coins are made of pure silver (Ag 999/1000), their diameter is 38.61 millimetres and weight 28.28 grams.

The collector coin dedicated to the Winter Olympics is a continuation of Eesti Pank's tradition to celebrate Olympic Games by issuing respective coins. The cross-country skier depicted on the coin celebrating the XX Winter Olympics, which will this time take place in Turin, symbolises a winter sport that has been very successful for Estonians: Andrus Veerpalu won a golden and a silver medal and Jaak Mae a bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and this was not the first time Estonia could be proud of its good skiers.

'Skiing is not only about professional sports. The collector coin also promotes the idea of a healthy lifestyle, as skiing is a popular hobby in Estonia and a suitable pastime for many people who wish to keep their body and mind in shape. I hope the silver coin attracts those interested in numismatics, and, taking into consideration the great international interest in Estonian coins, helps introduce us abroad as a country of skiers,' said Mr Andres Lipstok, Governor of Eesti Pank.

The collector coins issued by Eesti Pank can be bought from the Eesti Pank Museum starting from 12 o'clock on Friday, February 10. The price of a coin is EEK 500. The Eesti Pank Museum is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 11:00 to 16:00.

In order to avoid long queues, it has been made possible to book the coins from February 7 over the telephone on 668 0560 or by e-mail at torino@epbe.ee.

The collector coins are available for purchase by mail as well. Please submit the respective request to the Cash Department of Eesti Pank at the address Estonia pst 13, Tallinn 15095 or by e-mail at hsinisaar@epbe.ee.

Photographs of the collector coin have been attached to the press release.

Information from the Eesti Pank Museum on 668 0560; e-mail: torino@epbe.ee.