TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's baseball triumph in the 2024 WBSC Premier12 tournament will be immortalized in metal, as the Central Bank (中央銀行) governor announced plans Thursday (March 13) for a commemorative coin celebrating the national team's victory. The announcement by Governor Yang Chin-long (楊金龍) comes amid nationwide jubilation over Taiwan's baseball success, satisfying public expectations for an official commemoration.
Speaking before the Finance Committee (立法院財政委員會), Yang suggested that commemorative coins or bills would be more practical than President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) earlier proposal to replace imagery on the NT$500 bill with Taiwanese baseball heroes. The extensive nature of currency redesign presents significant challenges, making commemorative issues a more manageable alternative while still honoring the achievement that has captivated the island nation.
The baseball fervor sweeping Taiwan gained additional momentum in late February when the national team secured qualification for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). This achievement further cemented baseball's status as a source of national pride and unity across Taiwan. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民主進步) Legislator Lai Hui-yuan (賴惠員) noted during the committee session that another championship victory would provide even more reason for commemoration, highlighting the ongoing enthusiasm for the sport among lawmakers and citizens alike.
The Central Bank has not yet released details about the commemorative coin's design or release date, but the announcement has already generated excitement among baseball fans and numismatists (coin collectors). The initiative represents Taiwan's tradition of honoring significant national achievements through official commemorative currency.