Olcay Gulsen Receives First Non-Profit Issue Royal Dutch Mint

Amsterdam, 16 October 2021

The Royal Dutch Mint has designed an exclusive issue in coincard in collaboration with Smiley Movement. The issue will be minted on the occasion of the Smiley Company’s 50^th anniversary. For every issue sold, the Royal Dutch Mint donates a food box to the Foodbank Amsterdam at Christmas. The Foodbank Amsterdam issue is a completely non-profit product of the Royal Dutch Mint. On World Food Day, ambassador Olcay Gulsen received the first coincard at one of the Foodbank locations in Amsterdam.

Minting For Meals
The Foodbank Amsterdam, in line with Foodbanks Netherlands, has as its main goal to provide food to people who – temporarily – cannot do so on their own. Every week they provide 1,900 families, consisting of 4,200 people, with a food box, spread over 12 distribution points in Amsterdam. The Foodbank’s core values ​​include working exclusively with volunteers, and being neutral and independent (‘citizens for citizens’). In addition, the food is obtained through donations, often food that would otherwise be wasted. Moreover, the Foodbank acquires and donates food without financial compensation. Money is needed for the rent of the warehouse, logistics and office costs, for example. The food in the crates has been donated, but it costs five euros to get a crate to the customer. Part of these costs are covered by donations and funds. Ambassador Olcay Gulsen received the first Foodbank Amsterdam issues at one of their locations in Amsterdam. 100% of the proceeds from the Foodbank Amsterdam issues go to the Foodbank Amsterdam.

Design and Mintage
On the obverse of the medal you see the 50^th anniversary logo of The Smiley Company with their slogan: Take The Time To Smile! On the reverse is a hand holding the logo of the Foodbank Amsterdam. Against a background of smileys, the hand reaches for another hand. This symbolises the food box that is donated. The medal is packed in a coincard with the original Smiley^Ⓡ on it. In Amsterdam, 4,200 people depend on the Foodbank. Including the surrounding region, this adds up to 12,000 people in total. The mintage is therefore 12,000 coin cards: the goal is to provide all people in the region with a food box at Christmas. The Foodbank Amsterdam issue is a high quality collector’s item and not legal tender. The issue can be ordered directly at www.royaldutchmint.com/foodbank

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