The obverse of the coin displays a view of the north portico of the White House. Inscriptions include “The White House”, the bicentennial dates “1792″ and “1992″, “In God We Trust”, and “Liberty”. The obverse was designed by Edgar Z. Steever IV.
On the reverse of the coin is the bust of James Hoban, the architect of the White House. He stands before the original main entrance of the building. Inscriptions read “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, “One Dollar”, and “James Hoban”. The reverse was designed by Chester Y. Martin.
The maximum authorized mintage for the White House Silver Dollar was set at 500,000 coins. This represented the lowest level established to date for a modern commemorative silver dollar, a fact that was highlighted within promotional materials. The coins were available in proof version struck at the West Point Mint and uncirculated version struck at the Denver Mint.
A complete sell out of the maximum authorized mintage was achieved, and the relatively low mintages drove prices higher on the secondary market. At their peak, prices had risen to four times the issue price. Prices eventually fell as the excitement faded and subsequent issues had lower mintage levels. For present day collectors, the 1992 White House Silver Dollars are priced primarily based on the silver content.
Surcharges raised from the sale of coins were paid to the White House Endowment Fund and used to support the White House collection of fine art and furnishings as well as for the maintenance of the public rooms.
Coin Specifications
Designer: Edgar Z Steever IV (obverse), Chester Y. Martin (reverse)
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 500,000
1992-D Uncirculated White House Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $28.00
Regular Price: $32.00
Final Mintage: 123,803
1992-P Proof White House Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $23.00
Regular Price: $28.00
Final Mintage: 375,851
The obverse design of the gold coin features a portrait of Christopher Columbus in profile along with a map of the New World. An outer ring contains the inscriptions “Liberty”, “1492″, “1992″, and “In God We Trust”, with “Christopher Columbus” positioned near the profile portrait. The obverse was designed by T. James Ferrell.
The reverse design carries the crest of the Admiral of Oceans and a map of the Old World containing the date “1492″. The additional inscriptions read “United States of America”, “Five Dollars”, and “E Pluribus Unum”. The verse was designed by Thomas D. Rogers Sr.
Maximum production levels were set at high levels amidst optimism for the success of the commemorative program. The 1992 Columbus Gold Coin carried a maximum mintage of one million pieces. Proof and uncirculated versions were available, struck at the West Point Mint. Final sales reached about one tenth of the maximum level, with the proof version outselling the uncirculated version by about three to one.
The gold coins were sold individually or as part of a three-coin proof set, three-coin uncirculated set, or full six coin set.
Coin Specifications
Designer: T James Farrell (obverse), Thomas D. Rodgers (reverse)
Weight: 8.3590 g
Composition: 90% gold (0.242 ounces of gold)
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 1,000,000
1992-W Uncirculated Columbus $5 Gold
Pre-Issue Price: $180.00
Regular Price: $210.00
Final Mintage: 24,329
1992-W Proof Columbus $5 Gold
Pre-Issue Price: $190.00
Regular Price: $225.00
Final Mintage: 79,730
Other 1992 Columbus Commemorative Coins
The obverse design of the coin features a full length portrait Christopher Columbus standing with a banner in his right hand and a scroll in his left. He stands next to a globe and there is a scene of ships and land in the upper portion of the background. The inscriptions read “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “Columbus Quincentenary” and the date “1992″. The obverse was designed by John Mercanti.
On the reverse is a split image of the Santa Maria and the Discovery space shuttle, intended to provide a striking contrast between the explorations then and now. Inscriptions include “United States of America”, “One Dollar”, “E Pluribus Unum”, and the anniversary dates “1492-1992″. The reverse was designed by Thomas D. Rogers.
From a maximum authorized mintage of 4 million coins, the US Mint recorded sales of 492,190. The uncirculated version of the of the coin was struck at the Denver Mint and proof version was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.
The US Mint offered the 1992 Columbus Silver Dollar in an array of packaging options. The coins were available individually in proof or uncirculated, in two or three coin sets, either proof or uncirculated, and finally in a comprehensive six coin set containing each coin of the program in both proof and uncirculated versions.
Coin Specifications
Designer: John Mercanti (obverse), Thomas D. Rodgers (reverse)
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 4,000,000
1992-D Uncirculated Columbus Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $23.00
Regular Price: $28.00
Final Mintage: 106,949
1992-P Proof Columbus Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $27.00
Regular Price: $31.00
Final Mintage: 385,241
Other 1992 Columbus Commemorative Coins
The obverse design of the half dollar features a depiction of Christopher Columbus at landfall. Shown in the background is the Santa Maria and a smaller ship with the crew disembarking. Inscriptions include “Liberty” in widely spaced letters above and “In God We Trust”, “1492″ and “1892″ below.
Pictured on the reverse of the coin are the thee ships of Columbus’ voyage under sail, known as the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Inscriptions within an outer ring include “United States of America” and “Half Dollar”. The inscriptions within the central portion are “500th Anniversary of Columbus Discovery” and “E Pluribus Unum. Both the obverse and reverse were designed by T. James Ferrell.
The maximum authorized mintage established by law for the 1992 Columbus Half Dollar was 6 million pieces. The proof version of the coin was struck at the San Francisco Mint and the uncirculated version was struck at the Denver Mint. Final sales were poor, reaching less than 10% of the maximum.
The lack of success for the program seems unusual given the historic importance of the event commemorated. Some have attributed the low sales to the two other commemorative programs issued during the same year and the lack of widespread publicity. The coins should have also carried a great deal of significance for coin collectors and the United States Mint. One hundred years ago, the 1892 Columbian Half Dollar was issued as the first U.S. commemorative coin.
Coin Specifications
Designer: T. James Farrell
Weight: 11.3400 g
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 6,000,000
1992-D Uncirculated Columbus Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $6.50
Regular Price: $7.50
Final Mintage: 135,702
1992-S Proof Columbus Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $8.50
Regular Price: $9.50
Final Mintage: 390,154
Other 1992 Columbus Commemorative Coins
The obverse design of the gold coin features a male sprinter in a burst of speed. An American flag appears in the background oriented vertically, reminiscent of a track. The inscriptions include “Liberty” above, “1992″ and “In God We Trust” to the right, and the Olympic rings with “USA” to the left. The obverse was designed by James Sharpe and modeled by T. James Ferrell.
On the reverse of the coin a heraldic eagle appears with wings spread, a shield at its breast reading “E Pluribus Unum”, and an olive branch and bundle of arrows grasped in its talons. The Olympic rings and “USA” appear above. The remaining inscriptions read “United States of America” and “Five Dollars”. The reverse was designed by James Peed.
The maximum authorized mintage for the 1992 Olympics Gold Coin was set at 500,000 across proof and uncirculated versions, both of which were struck at the West Point Mint. Coin sales reached just above one-fifth of the stated maximum. The gold coins were sold individually or within a three coin proof set, three coin uncirculated set, or complete six coin set containing other coins from the same program.
Promotional materials distributed by the United States Mint included a large hologram with the design of the gold coin. When the brochure is moved, it appears that the sprinter is running forward.
Coin Specifications
Designer: James Sharpe (obverse), James Peed (reverse)
Weight: 8.3590 g
Composition: 90% gold (0.242 ounces of gold)
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 500,000
1992-W Uncirculated Olympic $5 Gold
Pre-Issue Price: $185.00
Regular Price: $215.00
Final Mintage: 27,732
1992-W Proof Olympic $5 Gold
Pre-Issue Price: $195.00
Regular Price: $230.00
Final Mintage: 77,313
Other 1992 Olympics Commemorative Coins
The obverse design of the silver dollar features a baseball player throwing a pitch. The image is remarkably similar to an image of Nolan Ryan which appeared on a 1991 Fleer baseball card. The designer of the coin John R. Deecken denied that there was any connection. Inscriptions on the obverse include “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “1992″, and “USA” with the Olympic rings.
The reverse features the Union Shield with olive branches to each side and the Olympic rings placed above. A banner beneath the shield and across the olive branches includes the motto “E Pluribus Unum”. The remaining inscriptions are “United States of America” above and “One Dollar” below. The reverse was designed by Marcel Jovine.
Notably, the coin features edge lettering. “XXV Olympiad” is written four times around the edge against a reeded background. This is the first time edge lettering had been used for a commemorative coin issue of the United States.
The 1992 Olympics Silver Dollar was released in both uncirculated and proof versions, produced at the Denver and San Francisco Mints, respectively. The coins were available in 2 coin proof or uncirculated sets, 3 coin proof or uncirculated sets, or a complete 6 coin set which included all 1992 Olympic Commemorative coin issues. A pre-issued discount price was available before regular pricing went into effect.
Coin Specifications
Designer: John R. Deecken (obverse), Marcel Jovine (reverse)
Weight: 26.7300 g
Composition: 90% Silver (0.7736 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 4,000,000
1992-D Uncirculated Olympic Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $24.00
Regular Price: $29.00
Final Mintage: 187,552
1992-S Proof Olympic Silver Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $28.00
Regular Price: $32.00
Final Mintage: 504,505
Other 1992 Olympics Commemorative Coins
The obverse design of the half dollar features a female gymnast in motion against the background of an American flag. Inscriptions read “In God We Trust”, “1991″, and “Liberty”. The Olympic rings with USA also appear. The obverse was designed by William C. Cousins.
On the reverse of the coin is an image of the Olympic torch and an olive branch designed by Steven M Bieda. The inscriptions above and below read “United States of America” and “Half Dollar”. A central inscription reads “Citius Altius Fortius” which is Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger”.
The maximum authorized mintage for the 1992 Olympic Half Dollar was set at 6 million, which proved excessive compared to the final sales. Proof versions of the coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and uncirculated versions were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The coins were sold individually, or in two and three coin uncirculated or proof sets, and a six coin commemorative set.
As an incentive to collectors, the US Mint included cards with authentic American Olympic athlete’s autographs. The autograph cards were included in the two and three coin proof sets and six coin sets while supplies lasted.
Coin Specifications
Designer: William Cousins (obverse), Steven M. Bieda (reverse)
Weight: 11.3400 g
Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
Diameter: 30.61 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 6,000,000
1992-P Uncirculated Olympic Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $6.00
Regular Price: $7.50
Final Mintage: 161,607
1992-S Proof Olympic Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $8.50
Regular Price: $9.50
Final Mintage: 519,645
Other 1992 Olympics Commemorative Coins
