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A golden brand called Sachin Tendulkar

Priya Srinivasan in Bombay

Societe Generale of Paris and India's Corporation Bank have launched a World Cup commemorative gold coin with Sachin Tendulkar's face embossed on it. The 24-carat, quarter ounce coin, priced at Rs 4,300, is being supplied by the French Bank and marketed by Corporation Bank.

"I don't know of any other instance where a gold coin has been released in commemoration a sportsperson and a sporting event," says an official of Societe General. "This product has a potential market wherever there are Indians," explains an official of Corporation Bank.

Already, 10,000 Tendulkar coins have been bought. Positioned as the collector's item, the coin is attracting attention from cricket-lovers, jewellers and corporate houses.

"We can supply upto 200,000 coins the world over," the CB official says. "In fact, I've been getting requests from our branches in places like Nagpur, Gorakhpur and Jabalpur for about 100 coins each," he remarks.

"Very rarely are commemorative coins released for sporting events other than the Olympics," says the SG's official.

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