Fifty years after the Russian satellite Sputnik launched the international space race, the New Zealand Mint is facing astronomical demand for its commemorative coin to mark the anniversary.
Russian ambassador Mikhail Lysenko, who checked out the coin yesterday, said of Sputnik's venture into space on October 4, 1957: "It was not just the launch of a piece of metal, but the launch of a new era of space technology."
The anniversary was celebrated throughout Russia, Mr Lysenko said.
New Zealand Mint general manager Mark Sutton said sales of the coins had been successful, with buyers from as far afield as the Ukraine, Germany, the United States and Australia.
More than 5100 of the 6000 coins had sold in a week - with more than 3000 coins sold in Russia, one of the company's largest markets.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4230442a6479.html
Full Version: Out-of-this-world sales for Sputnik coin
Soon the Russians will be buying any coins that feature the Spuntik 
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