1988 Olympic $5 Gold

1988 Olympic $5 Gold - United States Mint Image

The 1988 Olympic Commemorative $5 Gold was issued to commemorate the participation of the United States in the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul, Korea. This gold coin was issued in addition to a silver dollar.

The obverse design of the 1988 Olympic $5 Gold is a favorite of many collectors. It depicts Nike, the goddess of Victory, in a crown of olive leaves. This was designed by Elizabeth Jones, who was the chief sculptor and engraver of the United States Mint at the time. The reverse of the coin features a modernistic depiction of the Olympic flame with the Olympic rings above. This was designed by Marcel Jovine.

The obverse inscription reads "Liberty" along with the date of mintage. The reverse inscriptions include "USA" within the Olympic rings, "United States of America", the denomination "Five Dollars", and the motto "E Pluribus Unum".

The $5 gold coins had a maximum authorized mintage of 1,000,000 across both proof and uncirculated versions which would be produced. The final mintages came closer to fulfilling the maximum than the silver dollar, however, still remained far below. Both proof and unciculated coins were minted at West Point and carried the "W" mint mark. The US Mint offered the coins at a discount during a pre-issue period before regular pricing went into effect. Two and four coin sets were offered incorporating the silver dollar coins.

Coin Specifications

Designer: Elizabeth Jones (obverse), Marcel Jovine (reverse)
Weight: 8.3590 g
Composition: 90% gold (0.242 ounces of gold)
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 1,000,000

1988-W Uncirculated Olympic $5 Gold

Pre-Issue Price: $200.00
Regular Price: $225.00
Final Mintage: 62,913

1988-W Proof Olympic $5 Gold

Pre-Issue Price: $205.00
Regular Price: $235.00
Final Mintage: 281,465

View all 1988 Commemorative Coins