Obverse: the obverse of the coin features a right-facing crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The inscription „ELIZABETH II • ISLE OF MAN • 2008“ surrounds the portrait, identifying the monarch, issuing territory and year of issue.
Reverse: the reverse depicts a running Olympic athlete holding a flaming Olympic torch. Two symbolic landmarks appear in the background – the Great Wall of China, representing the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and London's Big Ben clock tower, symbolising the next host of the Summer Olympic Games. The composition is surrounded by laurel branches and the inscription „BEIJING • OLYMPIC • LONDON“. The denomination „1/5 CROWN“ appears at the bottom.
About the coin: this 2008 Isle of Man gold coin commemorates the symbolic handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held in Beijing, and during the closing ceremony the Olympic flag was handed over to representatives of London, which was preparing to host the XXX Summer Olympic Games in 2012.
The reverse design clearly represents this transition: the Olympic runner carrying the torch appears to connect Beijing and London, while the Great Wall of China and Big Ben symbolise the two Olympic cities. Laurel branches have been associated with victory and sporting triumph since ancient times.
The coin has a denomination of 1/5 Crown. It was issued on behalf of the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency with the right to issue its own coinage. The coin was struck by the British Pobjoy Mint, which produced collectible coins for the Isle of Man for many years.
This thematic collectible gold coin combines Olympic sporting history, the 2008 Beijing Games and the preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
