A Guide to U.S. Mint Olympic Commemorative Coins
Across the years, the United States Mint has released several special coins commemorating different events in American history. From 1983 through 2002, the Mint issued a coin series celebrating the Olympic Games, Special Olympics, and Paralympics, much to the interest of rare-coin collectors.
What Are Olympic Commemorative Coins?
Olympic commemoratives were struck as half dollars, silver dollars, and gold coins, in quantities of $5 and $10, and were offered in uncirculated and proof finishes. The first was minted in 1983 for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. It was the Mint’s first commemorative silver dollar in more than 80 years, and a $10 gold coin for the same event followed.
1992 Olympic Games
From a coin standpoint, the 1984 and 1996 Olympics received more attention than the 1992 Olympics, which was comparatively minor. Still, the U.S. Mint struck silver dollars and half dollars in 1992. The silver dollar may be especially meaningful to baseball fans because it shows Nolen Ryan. Ryan is a Hall of Famer widely regarded as one of baseball’s most intimidating pitchers.
Atlanta Olympic Coinage
A coin series commemorating the 1996 Atlanta games was issued between 1995 and 1996. The designs highlighted multiple Olympic events: half dollars depicted basketball, baseball, swimming, and soccer; dollar coins depicted gymnastics, track and field, cycling, tennis, rowing, and high jump. A series of $5 gold coins was produced as well.
Other Commemorative Coins
In the same year as the Atlanta games, the Mint released a Special Olympics World Games silver dollar honoring Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics. Silver dollars recognizing the Paralympics were also issued in 1995 and 1996. In 2002, the Mint issued a silver dollar and a $5 gold coin to commemorate the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Do My Olympic Commemoratives Have Value?
Rare-coin collectors often want to know whether these coins carry value. The answer depends, naturally, on the individual coin, its condition, and its rarity. Most coins traded for bullion value, which at the time this article was written was $12 for silver dollars, $300 for $5 gold coins, and $600 for $10 gold coins. There were exceptions, which the following discussion addressed in more detail.
Historically, proof and uncirculated commemorative half dollars, silver dollars, and $5 gold coins have generally been priced comparably. However, several uncirculated Olympic commemoratives had much lower mintages, which led to higher prices. Notable examples included uncirculated 1996 Soccer and Swimming half dollars; 1996 Cycling, Wheelchair, Tennis, Rowing, and High Jump silver dollars; and every $5 uncirculated Olympic gold coin. These sold for more than comparable coins, sometimes substantially more. The original article’s Buying and Selling Guide and price chart provided additional pricing detail.
When this article was originally published, readers with Olympic commemoratives or other rare coins to sell were invited to contact Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers at 404-236-9744 to arrange an appraisal, or to contact the business about having items appraised by mail.
