Collection Inspiration: The Olympic Games
Posted on 7/23/2024
The best athletes in the world are gathering in Paris, as the opening ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Olympics begin on July 26. Citizens from around the globe will be cheering on their country's representatives while they vie to hear their country's national anthem as they receive their medals.
Inspired by the Olympics in ancient Greece, the modern games are the most prestigious international multi-sport event in the world. Debuting in 1896 with only 14 nations and fewer than 250 athletes competing in 42 events, the Summer Games now include more than 300 events across 32 sports, with more than 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries expected to participate in 2024.
2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the last Summer Olympics held in France in 1924. A century later, Olympians are gathering once again in Paris, as the top athletes in each event compete for gold. Therefore, this July, we're celebrating with 10 examples of banknotes that have ties to the Olympic Games.
Ten Banknotes Featuring the Olympics
Belarus
Belarus starts our list of Olympic notes, showing off the country's training center for their Olympians. The back of the Belarus, National Bank 1999 5,000,000 Rublei note features the National Center for Winter Olympic Training in Minsk. The multi-functional sports complex includes the Raubichi facilities, one of the best biathlon centers in the world and where the eastern European country's Olympic hopefuls train.
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China
In 2022, Beijing, China hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and the country released a series of commemorative banknotes to mark the occasion. The China 2022 Beijing 2022 Olympic Games 20 Yuan is one of the most vibrant notes on our list and it includes Olympians on it. The front of the note features a pair of figure skaters, the national emblem of the People's Republic of China and the official emblem of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
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Fiji
To celebrate the Pacific island nation’s first Olympic medal, the Fiji, Reserve Bank issued this 2016 (ND 2017) 7 Dollars commemorative note. It pays tribute to the Fijian Rugby 7s Team, which won the gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. The front features the Fiji flag, coach Ben Ryan and captain Osea Kolinisau. The back features an image of the entire team following their Olympic glory, posing with their gold medals.
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Finland
The Finland, Finlands Bank 1986 10 Markkaa is another note honoring one of the most legendary runners in Olympics history. The front of the banknote features a portrait of Paavo Nurmi, also known as the Flying Finn, who dominated distance running in the 1920s. The iconic Olympian set 22 official world records, winning a combined nine gold and three silver medals at the Summer Olympic Games in 1920, 1924 and 1928. In addition, the back of the note features an artistic rendering of the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, which hosted the 1952 Summer Games.
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Hong Kong
In 2008, the Summer Olympic Games were hosted in Beijing. Although this was the third time the Olympics had been held in East Asia, it was the first to be held in China. While the front of the note features the Bank of China building and the Beijing 2008 Olympics logo, the back features one of the most recognizable Olympic stadiums ever built: the Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest.
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Kenya
Even though the front of the Kenya, Central Bank 1996 20 Shillings note doesn't recall the Olympics at first glance of its front, one look at the back shows a clear tribute to the international multi-sport event. The front shows the bust of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. However, the back features an image of the Moi International Sports Centre, which is a multi-purpose stadium in Kasarani that is also the home of Kenya's national soccer team. The back includes an athlete running on the right and an Olympic medal at the left.
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Macau
Consisting of an attractive mix of purple and golden hues throughout, the Macau, China 2022 Beijing Olympics 20 Patacas is our second example from the year's Winter Olympic Games. Bringing banking and the Olympics together on one note, the front features the Bank of China Macau Branch building and "Winter Dream" emblem of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games. In addition, the back also shows two short-track speed skaters and the National Speed Skating stadium.
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Russia
Similar to the China note earlier in our list, this is another fully vertical note, except this time it commemorates the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. The Russia 2014 Sochi 2014 Olympic Games 100 Rubles features a Russian snowboarder on the front and a collage of Olympians on the back. Small background images of various athletes from different sports are seen in the background, as the Fisht Olympic Stadium (an indoor arena built specifically for the ceremonies) sits prominently on the back of the note.
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South Korea
The South Korea 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games 2,000 Won note is immediately recognized as having ties to the Olympics because of the various athletes featured on the front, including the speed skaters prominently showcased. South Korea won 17 medals that year, most of them in speed skating. The back features a painting of a tiger and pine tree by Kim Hong-do. Tigers are not only an integral part of Korean mythology, but they were also used as the Pyeongchang Olympic mascot.
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Suriname
Our only South American note on the list comes from the Republic of Suriname. The small rainforest-covered country just north of Brazil released the Suriname, Centrale Bank 1998 25 Gulden note to commemorate the 1988 Summer Olympics hosted in Seoul, South Korea. The front of the green and orange note shows a prominent image of the Central Bank Building in Paramaribo, with a small picture of two runners at the top left. The back features Olympic gold medalist Anthony Nesty, who topped the podium in the 100-meter butterfly event in Seoul. Nesty's historic victory made him the only Olympic medal winner so far for Suriname.
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If you're interested in more inspiring banknotes, check out our other Collection Inspiration columns for more collecting ideas, including ones on ships, vintage planes and modern planes. Also, be sure to follow PMG on Facebook, on Instagram and on Twitter for other articles and interesting notes posted daily.
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