For those who want a souvenir of the most anticipated sporting event in South America next year, the Central Bank of Brazil is rolling out a series of commemorative coins for the Rio Olympics and Paralympic Games 2016. Eighteen coins have entered circulation for sale. By 2016, 36 coins will be released, produced by the Casa de Moeda do Brasil (Brazilian Mint). [caption id="attachment_5736" align="aligncenter" width="600"]The Rio Olympics and Paralympics commemorative coins / Photo: Central Bank of Brazil The Rio Olympics and Paralympics commemorative coins / Photo: Central Bank of Brazil[/caption] The premier gold coin is decorated with Rio de Janeiro's most iconic attraction, Christ the Redeemer, while the flip side of the coin depicts a pole vaulter. Only 5,000 gold coins are being made, each weighing 4.4 games and costing 1,180 Brazilian Reals (BRL) with a face value of BRL 10. The silver coin has many versions, each representing different aspects of Rio and the Olympics. The coin will have a circulation of 25,000 units, weighing 27 grams and costing BRL 195 with a face value of BRL 5. Various aspects of the culture and nature of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil are shown on the coins, including the beak of a toucan, a heliconia flower, the musical genres of Chorinho and Bossa Nova, and architectural landmarks such as Arcos de Lapa and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The other face of the coin will show off various Olympic sports, such as running, cycling and beach volleyball. The common currency has a face value of 1 Real, with the same cost, and will be sold in special packages for collectors, to the value of BRL 13. Both the Olympics and Paralympic games are shown on the coins, including basketball and sailing, two sports that Brazilian athletes have won medals in, and rugby and paracanoeing, the two new sports that will form part of the Games from 2016. To purchase the commemorative coins of the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games 2015, see the list of banks that sell the coins on the Central Bank’s website. For greater convenience, you can also buy them online on Bank of Brazil’s website.

Planning to travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics? Visit rdj4u.com for the great tours and activities in Rio de Janeiro

By: Luiza Cavalcante | Adapted by Nicole Eberhard