Rio Olympics 2016: Mascots Vinicius and Tom star on final batch of Olympic coins

IANS
Rio Olympics Mascots Vinctus and Tom
The mascots of the Rio Olympics (L) and the Paralympics (R) respectively, Vinicius and Tom

Rio 2016 mascots Vinicius and Tom led the celebrations as the final one of the four batches of coins commemorating the Games was launched at the Brazilian Central Bank.

The colourful duo had good reason to be in high spirits on Friday, as they themselves have entered circulation on the one reais (Brazilian currency) coins, reports Xinhua.

Olympic mascot Vinicius and Paralympic mascot Tom are celebrated, along with the sports of boxing and Paralympic swimming, in four designs that will each be minted 20 million times.

There are five new coin designs for collectors - four silver and one gold. The silver coins have a value of five reais (but sell for 195 reais) and celebrate four sports - running, cycling, rowing and beach volleyball on one side, and continue the theme of paying homage to Brazilian flora, fauna, architecture and music on the other, with images of a Brazilwood tree, a butterfly, Rio's Municipal Theatre and a samba musician.

The gold coin, whose face value is 10 reais but costs 1,180 reais, features Christ the Redeemer on one side and the Olympic torch on the reverse.

In all, the total four batches of Rio Olympics coins include four golds, 16 silvers and 16 circulation coins.

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