Anti-slavery coin - first-ever coin with a social conscience

Anti-slavery prototype coin

A silver coin with the message "Break the Chains of Bondage" will be launched at the World Money Fair, Europe's largest coin convention, in Berlin tomorrow (February 3).

The first-ever coin with a social conscience features on its head side (observe) the silhouettes of a man and a woman back-to-back with a broken chain of five links and the inscription "Break the Chains of Bondage." The tail (reverse) is designed by Luc Luycx, the graphic artist behind the design of the Euro.

The prototype coin is issued by the United Future World Currency (UFWC), a global currency initiative, and being struck by the Royal Mint UK in eco-silver, a responsibly sourced precious metal from recycled silver.

The idea behind the initiative is to encourage Mints and central banks to issue a coin with a clear  anti-slavery message that will end up in the hands of the public and raise awareness of this important cause, says Dr. Sandro Sassoli, founder of the UFWC.

Between 10 and 30 million people worldwide are believed to be either enslaved or in bonded-servitude, according to the latest estimate by the UN.  Slavery and human trafficking cross race, religion, gender and ethnic background and exist in every countries.

UFWC are approaching more than 60  Mints attending the World Money Fair  to encourage them to issue the anti-slavery coin. Several Mints and central banks have already expressed interest in issuing the coin, ahead of the launch tomorrow.  The campaign will continue into 2013 and beyond.