Fifty years after the Russian satellite Sputnik launched the international space race, the New Zealand Mint is facing astronomical demand for its commemorative coin to mark the anniversary.

Russian ambassador Mikhail Lysenko, who checked out the coin yesterday, said of Sputnik’s venture into space on October 4, 1957: “It was not just the launch of a piece of metal, but the launch of a new era of space technology.”

The anniversary was celebrated throughout Russia, Mr Lysenko said.

New Zealand Mint general manager Mark Sutton said sales of the coins had been successful, with buyers from as far afield as the Ukraine, Germany, the United States and Australia.

More than 5100 of the 6000 coins had sold in a week - with more than 3000 coins sold in Russia, one of the company’s largest markets.

The coin sells for NZ$100 and comes in a small globe which, when opened, plays an original recording of Sputnik’s signature sound as it transmitted radio beeps indicating temperature and pressure.

Sputnik, which weighed 87 kilograms, was the first satellite fired into orbit.