Celebrating the 1994 XV FIFA World Cup Soccer Playoff Games
In 1994, Congress authorized commemorative coins to mark the FIFA World Cup USA 1994, hosted by the United States at nine stadiums across the country. Congress authorized a series of three coins to commemorate the playoffs: a half dollar, a silver dollar, and a five-dollar gold coin.
1994 World Cup Half Dollar
This half dollar was issued and struck in uncirculated and proof versions. The obverse of the coin depicts a male soccer player running down the field with the ball at his feet. The obverse design shows a player about to hit the soccer ball. In large numerals was the year “1994,” and above the date was the word “LIBERTY,” and below the date was the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The obverse was designed by Richard T. La Roche and sculpted by John Mercanti.
The reverse of the 1994 World Cup Half Dollar features the official logo of the World Cup with “WORLD CUP USA 94” above it, and there is a laurel branch on both sides of the logo. Below the logo was “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and the upper periphery had “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while the lower periphery had the denomination “HALF DOLLAR.” The reverse was designed by Dean McMullen.
The uncirculated coins were struck at the Denver Mint and bear a “D” mintmark on the reverse of the coin. The proof coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and bear a “P” mintmark. Although up to five million half dollars were authorized, less than one million coins were struck in uncirculated and proof.
1994 World Cup Silver Dollar
The second coin issued was a 1994 World Cup Silver Dollar, which was again struck in both uncirculated and proof. The obverse of the silver dollar featured two opposing players facing one another, and both are fighting for possession of the ball. The word “LIBERTY” is in large letters, and there are five-pointed stars between each letter. To the lower right is the date “1994” and the lower periphery as “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The obverse was sculpted by Thomas J. Ferrell.
The reverse uses the exact same design seen on the half dollar and the five-dollar gold coin. The denomination for each, however, is different. The reverse of this silver dollar was designed and sculpted by Dean McMullen.
While the uncirculated 1994 World Cup Half Dollar and the uncirculated 1994 World Cup Silver Dollar were both struck at the Denver Mint, the proof 1994 World Cup Silver Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint and has an “S” mintmark. Proof Silver Dollars were sold in sets and combined with other minor coins that were not part of the modern commemorative coin series to entice collectors.
1994 World Cup Tournament Gold $5 Coin
The final of the three coins struck was the World Cup Tournament Gold $5 Coin. Unlike the smaller denominations, the obverse featured the World Cup trophy as the central device, rather than players trying to control a soccer ball.
The obverse was designed by William Krawczewicz and sculpted by Edgar Z. Steever. The trophy is in the center with “LIBERTY” to the left and “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the right. Under the trophy is the date “1994.” The reverse was designed by Dean McMullen. The only change in the reverse design is on the lower periphery, where the new denomination “FIVE DOLLARS” is added.
The uncirculated and proof versions of the 1994 World Cup Tournament Gold $5 Coins were struck at the West Point Minting facility and bear a “W” mintmark. The six versions of these three coins (proof and uncirculated) were sold individually, in uncirculated sets, in proof sets, and in complete six-coin sets. The authorized mintage of the 1994 World Cup Tournament Gold $5 Coins was 750,000, but just over 110,000 coins were struck and sold.
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