The new product features the polar bear, said to be the grandson of Moscow 1980 Olympic mascot Misha, embossed on the rectangular coins and is the second in a series to display the mascots after last year's version with the snow leopard.

The inscription Sochi 2014 appears to the left of the cartoon mascot, who wears a scarf and is pictured waving, while the five iconic Olympic rings appear underneath.


Three varieties of the commemorative coin are available to buy – a three-rouble silver one, and two gold versions of 50 roubles and 100 roubles.

The other Sochi 2014 official Olympic mascot is the hare.

The tradition of Olympic coins can be dated back to 510 BC, with the first modern coin being released for the 1952 Games in Helsinki.

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