Demand for Federer coin crashes Swissmint website

Zurich, December 3

A commemorative silver coin depicting tennis great Roger Federer has proved so popular that the demand has led to a crash of the website of Switzerland’s mint, Swissmint. The mint, which is selling the coins for 30 francs each, is making 60,000 of them but could raise that number to 100,000 if necessary.

The coin, with a face value of 20 francs ($20), is the first by the federal mint with a living person on it. Featuring the 38-year-old Swiss Grand Slam-winner playing a backhand shot, and uncirculated quality version of the limited edition coin was up for pre-order online sale yesterday. The pre-sale will continue till December 19, or until the first minting run has sold out. Those who miss out on this coin will have to wait for May next year, when the mint plans to issue a Federer-themed gold coin. — Agencies