The obverse design of the gold coin by Elizabeth Jones is a favorite of many collectors. It depicts Nike, the goddess of Victory, in a crown of olive leaves. The word “Liberty” appears across the neckline, with the date “1988″ in the left field. A ribbon intertwined with the crown carried the words “In God We Trust”.
The reverse of the coin designed by Marcel Jovine features a stylized Olympic flame with the Olympic rings above containing “USA”. Inscriptions below the image read “United States of America”, “Five Dollars”, and “E Pluribus Unum”. Although there is great appreciation for the obverse design, some feel that the modernistic depiction on the reverse makes an incongruous combination.
The maximum authorized mintage for the 1988 Olympics Gold Coin was established by law at one million pieces. Both proof and uncirculated versions of the coin were struck at the West Point Mint 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
Other 1988 Olympic Commemorative Coins
The obverse design for the coin features one hand holding the Statue of Liberty’s torch and the other holding an Olympic torch. The two flames merge together with olive branches framing the scene. The inscriptions “Olympiad” and “Liberty” appear above and below, with “In God We Trust” and the date “1988″ to each side. The obverse was designed by Patricia Lewis Verani.
On the reverse, the Olympic rings appear centrally with “USA” above and another pair of olive branches framing the scene. The inscription “United States of America” appears widely spaced around the edge of the coin. The denomination is expressed as “1 Dollar” and “E Pluribus Unum” appears near the base. The reverse was designed by Sherl Joseph Winter.
The maximum authorized mintage for the 1988 Seoul Olympics Silver Dollar was 10 million pieces. The final mintage did not come close to reaching this amount, with a final tally of around 1.55 million. The uncirculated version was minted at the Denver Mint and carried the “D” mint mark. The proof version was minted in San Francisco and carried the “S” mint mark. Two coin sets containing the silver dollar and $5 gold were issued in proof and uncirculated, as well as a four coin set with all versions.
Coin Specifications
Designer: Patricia Lewis Verani (obverse), Sheryl Joseph Winter (reverse)
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 10,000,000
1988-D Uncirculated Olympic Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $22.00
Regular Price: $27.00
Final Mintage: 191,368
1988-S Proof Olympic Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $23.00
Regular Price: $29.00
Final Mintage: 1,359,366
Other 1988 Olympic Commemorative Coins
