Georgia. New Silver Proof and Colour Coin Features 2026 European Handball Tournament

 In an effort to popularise the sport of handball, the latest silver collector coin is dedicated to the Georgian National Handball Team's participation in the European 2026 Championship. Coincidentally, 2026 also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment in 1956 of the Georgian National Handball Federation.

Men's handball in Georgia is on the rise with the senior national team having qualified for the EHF EURO 2024, the first big tournament in their history. Their debut took place in 2017 when they hosted the competition and won their opening match, 28 to 24 against Algeria, ultimately finishing in 20th place. The Georgian Men's Handball National Team will participate in the European 2026 Championship for the second time in a row. It is worth noting that for the first time, Georgian athletes successfully competed for their place in the European Championship in 2024 and participated in the largest handball forum.

The 2026 European Federation Men's Handball Championship, commonly referred to as the EHF Euro 2026, will be the 17th edition of the EHF European Men's Handball Championship. The biennial international men's handball championship of Europe is organised by EHF and will be co-hosted by Denmark, Norway and Sweden from the 15th January to the 1st February 2026, marking the second time the event is held in three countries since 2020.

The silver proof and colour coins are produced by the National Mint of Kazakhstan at their facilities in Oskemen, East Kazakhstan and on behalf of the National Bank of Georgia. Designed by Giorgi Zhghenti with additional input from the Georgian National Handball Federation, the obverse side featuredetails of the logo of the Georgian Handball Federation. The logo comprises the image of a heraldic lion hitting a handball against the background of the Georgian flag which is presented in red and white colour. The face value of the coin is shown as  1 ₾ in the lower left corner. Along the rim is the inscription in Georgian lettering საქართველოს ხელბურთის ეროვნული ფედერაციის 70 წლის იუბილე (70th Anniversary of the National Handball Federation of Georgia) with the commemorative year dates 1956 – 2026 placed below the primary design along the lower rim. The reverse side features an illustration of a handball scored into the goal represented by a handball net in the background. A heraldic lion is also shown on the surface of the handball representing the Georgian Handball Federation. Above the handball is the name of the national team in Georgian and English text საქართველო ★ GEORGIA. The text EHF EURO 2026 is shown just under the handball. Above the primary design along the upper rim is the commemorative text in English GEORGIAN HANDBALL NATIONAL TEAM AT EURO 2026 and along the lower rim is the same text in Georgian საქართველოს ხელბურთის ეროვნული ნაკრები ევრო 2026 ჩემპიონატზე.

Available from the 12th January, the coins are encapsulated and presented in a black gloss hardwood case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the National Bank of Georgia Money Museum.