The cover of the commemorative medals themed on Chinese basketball star Yao Ming.

A limited edition of commemorative medals themed on Chinese basketball star Yao Ming was put on sale in Beijing on Tuesday. This is the first set of such medals on a sports star in China.

The three-set medals are made of gold, silver and copper separately, with a head portrait and signature of Yao on one side and a picture of him holding a basketball on the other.

Altogether 1,500 sets are put on sale, with each set costing 5,300 yuan, or about US$670.

The photo taken on October 23 shows a three-set commemorative medals themed on Chinese basketball star Yao Ming.

A commemorative medal with a portrait of Chinese NBA All-Star center Yao Ming and his signature is seen in this handout photo posted on 2008.qq.com October 19, 2007. [2008.qq.com/chinadaily.com.cn]

A commemorative medal showing Chinese NBA All-Star center Yao Ming shooting the basketball and his signature is seen in this handout photo posted on 2008.qq.com October 19, 2007. [2008.qq.com/chinadaily.com.cn]

A gold commemorative medal with the likeness of Chinese NBA All-Star center Yao Ming and his signature is presented in this handout photo posted on 2008.qq.com October 19, 2007. [2008.qq.com/chinadaily.com.cn]

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2007)