Between 1997 and 2000, the Perth Mint and Royal Australian Mint produced the official coins and medallions for the Sydney 2000 Games. Included in their range was a series of ten 'Olympic Mascot Booklets' that retailed individually for AUD$24.95. These comprised a medallion and limited edition pin, and their coloured designs represented one of ten Olympic sports (aquatics, athletics, baseball, basketball, cycling, equestrian, football, gymnastics, hockey and tennis) and one of three Sydney Olympic mascots. This particular example illustrates basketball and the Sydney mascot, 'Olly'. The medals were struck on bronze blanks, made for minting legal tender Olympic coins, and were decorated through a new colour-minting process.

The history of Olympic souvenirs can be traced to ancient Greece and its production of coins marking athletic achievements. In 1896, the beginning of the modern Olympic era, the Olympic Organising Committee issued stamps to raise revenue for the Games. By the 1920s, Olympic memorabilia had become prolific and highly collectible. Since that time, official souvenirs have developed into essential sources of Olympic profit, and have contributed to the commercialism that increasingly characterises the Olympic Games.

According to the International Olympic Memorabilia Federation - an official body that monitors the production and distribution of Olympic souvenirs - there are two, distinct types of Olympic mementos: those bearing the official IOC, NOC or OCOG marks, and those by-products of the Games. The Official Commemorative Medal is an official SOCOG souvenir.

Designed by designers and sculptors at the Royal Australian Mint.

Made by the Perth Mint and the Royal Australian Mint

Unused

Owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum.

Medallion and pin set with packaging, Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000 mascot, Ollie, metal/plastic/paper, made by the Perth Mint and Royal Australian Mint c. 2000

A pin and medallion set representing the Sydney 2000 Olympic mascot, Olly, and the history of Olympic basketball. The set consists of a pin and medallion mounted to a booklet with a clear plastic bubble seal. The coin is bronze in colour, and depicts Olly playing basketball. The coloured pin represents the same theme. The booklet, titled "Sydney 2000 Olympic Sports Mascot", contains information about Olly and Olympic basketball.

Made: 2000

2001/84/298

2000