Silver and Gold Celebrating the 1988 Seoul, Korea Olympics
The United States Olympic team attended and competed at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Korea. The United States Mint issued 1988 Seoul Olympic Games commemorative coins to honor U.S. participation in the Olympic Games and used coin surcharges to fund athlete training, support amateur sports, and improve training facilities. Within the program, a silver dollar and a $5.00 gold coin were produced in both Mint State (uncirculated) and proof finishes.
1988 Seoul Olympiad Commemorative Silver Dollar
Patricia Lewis Verani designed the obverse of the silver dollar. The design depicted one hand holding the Statue of Liberty’s torch, while the other held the Olympic torch on the reverse. The flames merge at the top, framed by two olive branches, one on each side. At the upper periphery is the word “OLYMPIAD”, while “LIBERTY” is on the bottom periphery. In the left field are the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” while in the right field is the date “1988” with the mintmark “D”, below the date.
Sherl J. Winter designed and sculpted the reverse of the silver dollar. In the center are the five interlocking Olympic rings with the letters “U S A” above the rings. Below the rings are “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The denomination is also above the rings, expressed as “1 DOLLAR” displayed on two lines. The legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is around the outer periphery with an olive branch on either side.
191,368 of these Denver Mint coins were struck in Mint State condition and sold. Additionally, 1,359,366 proof coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and sold. The legislation that authorized these coins allowed up to 10 million coins to be struck, but about 1.5 million coins were sold and distributed. These proof coins have the exact same design as the Mint State coins, except the mintmark changes from a “D” to an “S,” and they have a proof finish.
1988 Seoul Olympiad Commemorative $5 Gold Coin
The other coin in the program is the $5.00 gold coin. This was the third $5.00 gold commemorative coin ever struck (regarding modern U.S. commemorative coinage). The obverse of the coin was designed by Elizabeth Jones, who was the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1981 to 1991. She was the first woman to hold this prestigious role. This popular obverse design features the head of the Goddess Nike, representing victory. She faces left while wearing a crown of olive leaves. Below her face is the word “LIBERTY,” and to the left of it is the date “1988.”
The reverse was designed by Marcel Jovine. A stylized version of the Olympic flame with the 5 Olympic rings above is the main visual draw of the coin. The top three rings contain the letters “U S A.” Below the flame is “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and below that is the denomination “FIVE DOLLARS.” Around the periphery is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” 1 million gold coins were authorized to be struck, but 62,913 Mint State coins were struck, while 281,465 proof coins were struck. All of these gold coins were struck at the West Point Mint.
Build a coin collection that stands out with the brilliance of modern U.S. gold commemorative coins and U.S. silver modern commemorative coins.
