2016-08-12 Fri

The world shot put champion and double Olympic gold medallist Valerie Adams from New Zealand received the very first gold coin produced for the 2016 Games from New Zealand Post, even before she reached Rio.

Special gold coins, silver coins and stamps have been issued to motivate and encourage the athletes. The coins feature the NZOC's "Be the inspiration" ribbon, with ten icons depicting the sports in which New Zealand has already won gold medals. The mintage limit of the silver proof coin is 2,016 pieces and that of the gold coins is just 250 pieces. A series of ten $1 stamps featuring the ten events that New Zealand has previously won gold medals will be issued during the Games.

The gold coin delivered to Adams is priced at $1,899. Valerie Adams was really excited when she received the coin and totally loved the design.