The 2012 Summer Games will see the return of 29 sports and will include 302 events. Baseball and Softball won't be part of the 2012 Olympic program. They are the first sports to be cut from the Games since Polo was dropped in 1936.
Normally, it’s M who assigns James Bond his next mission.
But when Britain needs 007 to declare the 2012 London Olympic Games open this coming July, guess who asked him to do it?
The thousand-year-old walled fortress of the Tower of London is usually a place where dark secrets are kept. But this morning, amidst a dazzling light and sound show, a bright secret, two years in the making, was finally revealed to the world.
The Faster, Higher, Stronger gold series collection features the most "classic" designs in the Olympic Coin Program. It's a magnificent set of nine gold coins produced by the Royal Mint in celebration of the 30th Olympiad. The coins show images of ancient gods and goddesses dating back to the days of the original Olympic Games of ancient Greece. This stunning set has the distinction of being the only UK gold coin collection to feature the Olympic Rings as part of the designs. The complete collection contains nine coins—three sets of three coins each inspired by the official motto of the Olympic Games: Citius, Altius, Fortius—Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Faster Series - 3 Coin Set
The first three-coin set, Faster, includes a £100 coin containing one Troy ounce of gold and two £25 coins of a quarter-ounce of fine gold each, all struck to superior proof quality. Each coin in the set features an Olympic sport paired with a Roman God or Goddess. The Olympic sport of Sailing is paired with Neptune, Running with Mercury, and Cycling with Diana.
Neptune
The God of the sea, Neptune’s order, control and authority of the seas were absolute and indisputable, making him one of the most respected of the gods. This coin represents the strong connection between Neptune and the Olympic sport of Sailing, a sport in which the Olympians must command and control whatever the water throws at them, just as Neptune did.
Mercury
An athletic and vigorous young god, Mercury was renowned as being the messenger of the gods, flying swiftly between the mortal and immortal worlds. The coin’s design represents the strong association Mercury has with the modern day athlete, in particular the Olympic runner—a vigorous athlete who relies on the similar attributes demonstrated by Mercury, such as speed and agility.
Diana
The Goddess of the hunt, Diana followed and pursued her reward armed simply with a bow and arrows in search of her prey. On this coin we see Diana with the Olympic cyclist. Hunters in their own right, they pursue and chase their reward often stopping at nothing to reach their target – the finish line and Olympic Gold.
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Higher Series - 3 Coin Set
The second three-piece premium gold set of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games captures the inspiration of the ancient games with gods and a goddess who still inspire the competition—in frosted 22-karat gold proofs. Altius is Latin for "Higher," and is the second of the three Olympian goals: Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Command of the sky
Inspired by the classical heritage of the Olympic Games and combined with modern sporting achievement, each of the three coins in the distinctive Higher collection features a different Roman God reflecting the second strand of the Olympic motto "Altius" or "Higher":
Jupiter
The God of light and the sky watches over a diver. Jupiter was King of the Gods and patron of Rome. Wearing a breastplate adorned with a storm cloud, he hurled thunderbolts from the sky. Divers exhibit vigor, energy and control as they take flight through the air, much like Jupiter himself and the lightening bolts he casts from his hand.
Juno
The Queen of the Gods, who looked after the empire's finances is depicted alongside an athlete pole vaulting. The coin's commanding design mirrors Juno’s courage and resilience with that of Olympic athletes competing in the Pole Vault.
Apollo
The God of sun and the arts, overlooks Rhythmic Gymnastics. The coin design unites the qualities of Apollo and Gymnastics. Just as Apollo was famous for driving chariots of fire across the sky to give light to the world, the lyrical movements of the gymnast bring awe and wonder to those who watch.
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Stronger Series - 3 Coin Set
The third and final set in the premiere "Higher, Faster, Stronger" London 2012 Gold Proof series is all about strength. This three-piece set contains nearly two ounces of 22-karat gold, struck to majestic proof finish by Britain's Royal Mint. The skilled artisans of the Royal Mint really flexed their artistic muscles by capturing the god and goddess of War, Mars and Minerva, along with Vulcan, the powerful god of fire who forged the thunderbolts of Jupiter in an enormous forge under Mt. Etna. Representing modern Olympian power are athletes depicting boxing, javelin, and the hammer throw.
Just like Vulcan, the Royal Mint has crafted these modern masterpieces from precious gold exposed to intense heat and pressure. The results are deeply mirrored and frosted surfaces—the very height of the minter's art. The set comes in a Royal Mint display case and includes a certificate of authenticity. We have a "strong" feeling that our small supply of these spectacular sets will not last long—so we urge you to call today!
Vulcan
Roman gods and goddesses were chosen for this series to reflect the official Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius." Vulcan is the ancient God of Fire in Roman mythology, and was skilled in the art of metalwork. He built palaces for the other gods, made armor for the hero Achilles and a scepter of power for King Agamemnon. The Hammer Throw featured on his coin has been a regular event of the modern Olympic Games having been first included in 1900. The coin's juxtaposition of god and athlete dramatically captures the strength and might of this popular sport. This impressive gold coin is one of the finest permanent souvenirs of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Minerva
Minerva is one of the great Roman divinities, and is the personification of thought, calculation, and inventive power, said to have invented numbers. The javelin is the Olympic Sport represented on her gold coin. In ancient times, the javelin was a weapon. It was lighter than a spear, and designed to be thrown rather than thrust, so it was used in long-distance battles. Athletes competed with a lighter version with a leather thong wound around the middle, which caused the javelin to spiral in flight.
Mars
Mars was a major Roman deity, second only to Jupiter in the pantheon. As God of War he was revered by conquering Roman soldiers throughout the empire. His gold coin features the Olympic Sport of Boxing. Boxing has been an Olympic sport since the seventh century B.C., when opponents fought with strips of leather around their fists. In 1867, the sport's regulations were codified by The Marquess of Queensbury and are still in use today. At London 2012, women's boxing will take place alongside the men's events for the first time.