The 1995 Olympic Torch Runner $5 Gold Coin was issued as an extensive commemorative coin program created for the XXVI Olympiad held in Atlanta, Georgia. Over two years from 1995 to 1996, a total of 16 different coin designs were issued in clad, silver, and gold. Although each coin had a high maximum authorized mintage, sales generally remained tepid.
The Torch Runner $5 Gold Coin features an Olympic runner carrying a torch to the cauldron. The skyline of Atlanta appears in the background. The inscriptions read “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “Atlanta 1996″, and the date of mintage “1995″. The obverse was designed by Frank Gasparro as modeled by John Mercanti.
The reverse features the image of a bald eagle with a banner in its beak with the Olympic Centennial dates “1896-1996″. Further inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribum Unum”, and “Five Dollars”. The reverse was also designed by Frank Gasparro and modeled by John Mercanti.
The Olympic Torch Runner $5 Gold was produced in both uncirculated and proof versions at the West Point Mint. The maximum authorized mintage across both versions was 175,000. The coins were issued individually or as part of four-coin sets. The coins were initially available at a pre-issue discount price, followed by availability at regular pricing.
Coin Specifications
Designer: John Mercanti
Weight: 8.3590 g
Composition: 90% gold (0.242 ounces of gold)
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 175,000
1995-W Uncirculated Torch Runner $5 Gold Coin
Pre-Issue Price: $229.00
Regular Price: $249.00
Final Mintage: 14,675
1995-W Proof Torch Runner $5 Gold Coin
Pre-Issue Price: $239.00
Regular Price: $259.00
Final Mintage: 57,442
