13 Issues to Commemorate the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA
In order to celebrate the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the US Olympic Committee worked with the US Mint and a series of three coins were struck. There was a 1983 Olympic Silver Dollar, which was the first time since the Lafayette Dollar in 1900 that the denomination was used for a commemorative coin. In addition, a 1984 Silver Dollar was also struck as was a $10.00 Gold commemorative.
The coins were available individually and in a variety of ways. Both Silver Dollars were available as P-D-S Uncirculated coins and as S mint Proofs. The $10 Gold coin was struck as a West Point Uncirculated and as P-D-S and W Proof coins. A total of 13 different coins were struck, including all BU and Proof coins from all mints (P, D, S and W).
1983 Discus Thrower Silver Dollar
The coin was designed by Chief Engraver of the US Mint Elizabeth Jones. The obverse depicts a male figure similar to the traditional Greek Discus thrower as the central vignette. Around the outer periphery are inscribed “LOS ANGELES XXIII OLYMPIAD” and “LIBERTY”. To the right of the discus thrower are the Olympic “star in motion” symbol and the 5 Olympic rings. Under the rings is “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date “1983” is behind the thrower.
The reverse depicts a bald eagle facing left, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in the left-field and around the outer periphery are inscribed the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR”.
The coin was struck at the Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints. The San Francisco Mint also struck Proof coins.
1984 Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar
The second silver dollar to mark the Los Angeles Olympic Games was the Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar. Designed by Robert Graham, the obverse of the coin depicts the Olympic Gateway, which is the entrance to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Atop the entrance is two headless statues separated by an Olympic flame. The motto “IN GOD – WE TRUST” are separated by the entrance. On the upper periphery is “LIBERTY” and on the lower periphery is inscribed “LOS ANGELES – 1984 – XXIII OLYMPIAD.”
The reverse also depicts a full bald eagle facing right, perched on a rock and holding an olive branch. On the rock is “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and on the upper periphery is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” with “ONE DOLLAR” just under it.
The 1984 Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar was struck at all three US Mints – Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco, with Sn Francisco producing both Uncirculated and Proof coins.
1984 Olympic Torch Bearers $10 Gold
1984 $10 Gold Olympic coin was the first gold commemorative coin since 1926 (The Sesquicentennial $2.50 Gold) and the first $10.00 gold coin since 1933 $10.00 Indian Head gold coin. The coin was struck in .900 fine gold, which was the same fineness as the last gold coins struck in 1933.
John Mercanti designed both the obverse and reverse of this coin, with the obverse design based on a sketch by James Peed. The obverse depicts a male and a female runner jointly holding an Olympic torch aflame. “LIBERTY” adorns the upper periphery and to the right of the runners is “IN GOD WE TRUST” and behind the runners is “LOS ANGELES” and just below that are the five Olympic rings. The date “1984” is on the lower right. Beneath the runners, in exergue, is “OLYMPIAD XXIII” in two lines.
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle, arrows and an olive branch in each talon, in the eagle’s beak is a ribbon on which is inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. Above the eagle are 13 5-pointed stars, and around the periphery are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TEN DOLLARS”.
The 1984 uncirculated $10.00 gold coin was struck at Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints as were the other coins. However, two additional coins were struck at the West Point Mint and bear the “W” mintmark, both in Uncirculated and in Proof conditions.
| Date | Mintmark | Denomination | Mintage | Value |
| 1983 | P | Discus Thrower Silver Dollar – Unc | 294,543 | $40.00 |
| 1983 | D | Discus Thrower Silver Dollar – Unc | 174,014 | 40.00 |
| 1983 | S | Discus Thrower Silver Dollar – Unc | 174,014 | 40.00 |
| 1983 | S | Discus Thrower Silver Dollar – Proof | 1,577,025 | 40.00 |
| 1984 | P | Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar – Unc | 217,954 | 40.00 |
| 1984 | D | Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar – Unc | 116,675 | 40.00 |
| 1984 | S | Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar – Unc | 116,675 | 40.00 |
| 1984 | S | Olympic Coliseum Silver Dollar – Proof | 1,801,210 | 40.00 |
| 1984 | P | Olympic Torch Bearers $10 Gold – Unc | 33,309 | 900.00 |
| 1984 | D | Olympic Torch Bearers $10 Gold – Unc | 34,533 | 900.00 |
| 1984 | S | Olympic Torch Bearers $10 Gold – Unc | 48,551 | 900.00 |
| 1984 | W | Olympic Torch Bearers $10 Gold – Unc | 75,886 | 900.00 |
| 1984 | W | Olympic Torch Bearers $10 Gold – Unc | 381,085 | 900.00 |
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