Coin to mark Commonwealth@60 launched

The initiative is part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth in 2009, and was unveiled during the recent 2008 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (CFMM) in St Lucia in the Caribbean.

Each Commonwealth country will be requested to consider producing a commemorative coin featuring, on one side, the Parliament of that country together with a small coloured depiction of the national flag as well as the Commonwealth logo. The other side of the coin would have a country’s usual national features or a depiction of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth. The coin could be either commemorative or legal tender depending on an individual Commonwealth member country’s preference.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma told the finance ministers that the 60th anniversary will focus on strengthening connections between all Commonwealth citizens and improving the daily lives of all at the grassroots level, especially young people, as part of a renewed sense of purpose for the modern Commonwealth.

“We will look back positively on the Commonwealth’s achievements and service over six decades, but we will also look at how we can support future generations,” he said.

Mr Sharma received a sample coin from the Commonwealth Mint and Philatelic Bureau Ltd, a company that has received support for this initiative from the Commonwealth Secretariat. Each head of delegation at the CFMM was also given a sample coin to take home.

The Secretary-General stated that the Secretariat will be promoting other activities at the national level and also at the pan-Commonwealth level to mark the anniversary.