By Ricky Dimon
Roger Federer has a lot of silver and a lot of money. So it only makes sense that his most recent honor involves a combination of those two things.
Swissmint, which is responsible for the minting of Swiss coins, has announced that Federer’s face–or more specifically an up-close shot of Federer winding up to strike a backhand–will be on a commemorative edition of the 20 Swiss franc coin starting next month. It will be issued beginning Jan. 23 of 2020.
Somewhere in the range of 55,000 to 95,000 such coins will be sold and they cost 30 Swiss francs (just over 30 U.S. dollars). Pre-sale orders can be made throughout the first three weeks of December. Swissmint also plans to release a 50 Swiss franc gold commemorative coin in May of next year, also adorned with Federer’s likeness.
The 38-year-old Swiss will become the first living person to have a coin dedicated to him by Swissmint.
“In addition to his sporting brilliance, Roger Federer is above all the perfect ambassador for Switzerland,” the company said in a statement on its website. “He has a unique way of embodying likeability, down-to-earthness, success and eloquence.”
“Thank you Switzerland and Swissmint for this incredible honour and privilege,” Federer wrote in an Instagram post.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion had already been honored with his image on a special edition stamp issued in 2007 by Swiss Post in Basel, his hometown.
Stamps…coins…. What’s next?!?!
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.
Editor’s Note • stamps, coins, streets… is the airport next?
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