As far back as the 70s of the 20th century, the tradition began in the Soviet Union to make commemorative coins in honor of the Olympics. They did not change the established custom in preparation for the 2014 Games. This coin program was designed for three years, it lasted from 2011 to 2014, and during this period 40 different options were released.
Investment coins
Back in 1992, the Bank of Russia decided to produce banknotes that can be used to invest funds. They are also called "investment coins." They are made in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Their main difference is high decoration and impeccable coinage. Investment coins are in excellent demand not only in Russia, but also abroad. Demand for them is always high.
Sochi's Olympic coins, which are dedicated to the 2014 games, are sold only by Sberbank of Russia - this financial institution has the exclusive right to sell them. After all, it was he who became the General Partner of both the regular and Paralympic Games of this year.
Memorable Options
Coins "Sochi" were made by the Bank of Russia from precious and base metals. If the first of them are investment and are in demand among rich people, then the second are called simply “memorable”. Simple collectors hunt for them, because the price is affordable for most of the country's inhabitants. Of course, they are of most interest to professional numismatists, but ordinary citizens do not mind having such a penny at home.
The main difference between the commemorative and investment options is that upon purchase of the former, VAT is paid in the amount of 18%, and the latter are not taxed. But the memorable options are great souvenirs, they can even become a symbol gift that will remind you of the Sochi Olympics.
2011 options
Sochi 2014 Olympic coins began to be issued three more years before the Games. According to the established plan, only 3 non-precious coins were to be issued. The first version of base metal was released in 2011, April 15. It depicts the emblem of the Winter Games. The face value of the issued Sochi coin is 25 rubles. It is worth noting that the first option caused quite a large demand among collectors-numismatists. At auctions, its value reached 1 thousand rubles. But the excitement that appeared in the early days quickly subsided, and the cost fell. Now on sale you can find a coin several times cheaper. The circulation of this first option amounted to 9 750 thousand copies.
In the same year, December 27, the Central Bank issued the second version of the Sochi coin of 25 rubles. The symbol of the Olympics was also depicted on the new copy, but this time the logo was made in color. The circulation of this option amounted to 250 thousand units. Its cost, according to many, was overstated, when it appeared on sale, it reached 5,000 rubles.
Description of the first base coin
The first option, issued by the Central Bank, was made of a copper-nickel alloy. The weight of this Sochi coin is 10 grams (tolerance is 0.3 grams), thickness is 2.3 mm, diameter is 27 mm, and the edge contains 180 corrugations.
The released version is made in the form of a white disk, around the circumference of which passes an annular rope. The obverse of a coin of 25 rubles is as follows. In the center is the emblem of the Federation - a two-headed eagle with spread wings spread upwards. It is crowned with crowns that are connected by one ribbon. In the left paw of the eagle is the power, and in the right - the scepter. On his chest is a horseman who strikes a dragon with a spear. The latter is already overturned backward. On the disk in a semicircle is the inscription “RUSSIAN FEDERATION”, it is framed by an ornament of rhombs. At the bottom of it is horizontally placed an inscription of the face value “25 rubles”, and the date 2011 is engraved below it. To the right of it you can also find the
trademark that puts the mint of St. Petersburg. It is worth noting that the Sochi Olympic coins of 25 rubles, which were issued in various years, differ only in the date of production.
The reverse of the first coin looks like this. In the center there is an inscription “sochi.ru”, it is located on the background of the relief of the mountain. On the site where the shadow from the cliff is depicted, there is the date of the Olympics - 2014 - and five symbolic rings.
Distinctive features of other non-precious coins
All variants of commemorative products issued by the Bank of Russia have their own distinctive features. If the obverse of such coins is very similar - they differ only in the year of issue, then their reverses differ significantly. The second coin issued differs from the first only in that its back is made in color. The inscription “sochi”, the date of the Games and five Olympic rings are highlighted.
The third and fourth issued coins differ only in color. If on the first option you can find relief images of three recognized mascots of the Games - Leopard, Bunny and White Bear, then on the second they are already colored.
The fifth and sixth coin of 25 rubles “Sochi 2014” is dedicated to the Paralympic Games. They depict their symbols - Ray and Snowflake. On the first version of this series, these are relief pictures, and on the second - color.
The seventh and eighth coins with a nominal value of 25 rubles depict the torch and the emblem of the Games on the background of the map of Russia. There you can also consider the route of the Olympic Torch Relay. As in previous versions, the first coin of this series is the relief, the second is made in color.
Investment options
Precious coins The Central Bank of Russia issued such denominations: 3, 50 and 100 rubles. Of course, not all Sochi 2014 investment coins are available to everyone. The price of them for most Russians is too high. Unlike commemorative options, investment made in the form of a rectangle, they resemble ingots of precious metals.
The first coin produced is made of silver (standard - 999). Its
nominal value is 3 rubles, and weight is 31.1 grams. The size of the coin is 2.3x3.5 centimeters. In Russia, 1,500 thousand copies were minted. On the reverse side is the official mascot of the Sochi Games - Leopard. The obverse design resembles ordinary commemorative coins: in the center - the emblem of the country, on top - the inscription "RUSSIAN FEDERATION", below - the denomination and year of issue.
The most common was made of a gold 50-trouble coin. It is made of this precious metal of 999 samples. The size of each instance is 1.4x2 cm, and the weight is 7.78 grams. The circulation of the coin is 4,000 thousand pieces. The design of this option is no different from a similar silver product.
The rarest made a golden copy with a face value of 100 rubles. The weight of this coin is 15.55 grams, and the size is 1.7x2.8 cm. The Central Bank of Russia has decided that this investment bullion will be issued in the amount of 500 thousand units.
Precious Commemorative Coins of 2011
In addition to bullion from precious metals, the Central Bank also made coins. In 2008, 8 different options were minted, 4 of them made of 925 sterling silver. Their diameter was 39 mm, and the circulation totaled 35 thousand pieces. The face value of these coins is 3 rubles. Each of them is dedicated to one of the winter sports: hockey, skiing, biathlon and figure skating. Also, a coin in denomination of 100 rubles under the name “Russian Winter” was made of silver. They were released in a circulation of 1.2 thousand pieces. It is noteworthy that the weight of each instance is 1 kilogram.
Also in 2011, a gold coin was issued with a circulation of 600 pieces - Flora Sochi. Its design is dedicated to the nature of the capital of the Winter Games. The penny depicts a girl with plants in locks of hair and a mountainous relief, against which a skater is engraved. Two more gold coins of 2011 are made of 999 samples, the weight of each of them is 7.78 grams. They are dedicated to skiing and speed skating.
Precious coins 2012-2013
In 2012, the Central Bank continued to issue Sochi coins, they were similar to those issued earlier. The only difference was the sports that they were dedicated to. In addition to the above, skeleton, freestyle, sledding, ski jumping, snowboarding, Nordic combined, curling and speed skating were captured.
But 2013 has become more interesting. During this period, the Bank of Russia issued a coin of gold (only 999 samples were used). Her weight was 1 kg, and the nominal value - 10 000 rubles. Its circulation is only 250 units. Also in 2013, two three-kilogram coins were issued. The first of them, released in the amount of 100 pieces, is gold. For her, this precious metal of 999 samples was used. The nominal price is 25,000 rubles. The second coin is made of 925 sterling silver. It was made 500 units. The face value of a precious three-kilogram coin is 200 rubles.
Coin value
If prices for commemorative items are calculated in hundreds of rubles, then for investment they are ten times higher. So, ordinary metal coins with engraving can be bought for 100-400 rubles. The same options, but in color, will cost numismatists 1000-2000, depending on the number of coins purchased at one time and the image on them.
The Bank of Russia sold silver bullion at a price in the range of 900–1300 rubles per one copy. Gold options with a nominal value of 50 rubles were sold at the Central Bank at a price of 10,500, at times their value reached 14,000 per copy.
Precious coins of Sochi have become more expensive. For example, a set of four silver items of 3 rubles each can be purchased for 17-20 thousand rubles.