Bank Indonesia to issue gold coins

JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia, the central bank, will issue two gold coins tomorrow to commemorate 50 years of independence on the eve of the nation's anniversary.

The central bank announced yesterday that the 23-carat gold coins will be issued in cooperation with the national council of the 1945 Generation to celebrate Independence Day on Aug. 17.

The central bank said the two gold coins will be accepted as a medium of exchange and as legal tender.

The coins will be issued in two series. The presidential series will carry a nominal value of Rp 850,000 (US$376) and the democratic series will have a face value of Rp 300,000.

The central bank's coins for legal tender are at present made only of silver, with face values ranging from Rp 25 to Rp 500.

The presidential series will depict a Garuda, the mythological bird and state emblem, on one side and a picture of President Soeharto on the other. The presidential coins, with a diameter of 35 millimeters, will weigh 50 grams and be 2.78 millimeter thick.

The democratic series will carry a Garuda on one side and depict the President speaking to the people on the other. (hen)