The third coin in a four coin collection released between 2009 -2012 to commemorate the countdown to the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The winning bid was secured back in 2005, but it took many years of preparation for London to be ready to host the games.
Alongside the popular 50p coin collection released in 2011, The Royal Mint also released a number of £5 coins to commemorate the Olympic Games.
This Countdown Collection a four coin set which started in 2009, with a subsequent coin issued each year afterwards until 2012. The coins feature a number representing the respective number of years left until the Games commenced.
In 2012 Additional coins were also released to commemorate the start of the Games and the Paralympics.
The full set from the Countdown Collection includes the following:
- 2009 (3 Years to go)
- 2010 (2 Years to go)
- 2011 (1 Year to go)
- 2012 (0 Countdown complete)
*Not released into general circulation*
*Other coins from the collection sold separately*
Obverse: Ian Rank-Broadley Queen Elizabeth II Portrait
Reverse: Central stylised design of two runners mingled with large digital number 2, London 2012 logo to left, legend and date around. (designed by Claire Aldridge)