Swissmint's pre-sale of its commemorative coin on Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer is already closed. The reason: sky high global demand.

"The pre-sale quantity of 33,000 pieces of the Roger Federer silver coin is sold out. The coins are no longer available on the webshop," Swissmint saidexternal link on Thursday.

"On the day of issue of 23 January, a remaining quantity of 22,000 pieces and higher quality coins ("proof-quality" and "folder") will be put on sale. A further 40,000 Roger Federer silver coins will be issued in May 2020," it added.

The online shop was visited by 12.9 million people in just three days, at times causing the site to crash.  Swissmint said it had anticipated a high demandexternal link but the level was unprecedented.

Swissmint is issuing two coins to celebrate Federer - the first living person to receive the honour: a 20-franc silver coin, which will have an issue date of January 23, 2020 and second coin with a different design – the “Roger Federer” 50-franc gold coin - which will come in May.

Knowing the coin would be popular, Swissmint launched for the first time a pre-sale of an “uncirculated quality” of the coin, which cost CHF30 ($30). The idea was for the sale to run from December 2-19.

Ambassador

When it announced the coins on Sunday, Swissmint said Federer was the best-known Swiss person both on and off the court. In addition to his countless tennis records, including the most grand slam men’s singles titles, he also runs a charitable foundation for children in southern Africa and was the first Swiss UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Above all, Swissmintexternal link writes, Federer is “the perfect ambassador for Switzerland. He has a unique way of embodying likeability, down-to-earthness, success and eloquence”.

Swissmint has occasionally introduced commemorative coins celebrating Swiss historical events, people and organisations. In 2019, commemorative coins were dedicated to the Apollo 11 moon landing and the centenary of the Circus Knie.

Tennis talk Roger Federer: ‘You cannot be alone at the top’

In 25 years of interviewing athletes, I’ve learnt that they never ask you anything back. Roger Federer is the exception.

By Simon Kuper

SWI swissinfo.ch on Instagram

SWI swissinfo.ch on Instagram