Q. David Bowers
Commemorating: 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California
Obverse motif: Discus thrower
Reverse motif: Eagle
Authorization date: July 22, 1982
Date on coins: 1983
Date when coins were actually minted: 1983-1984
Mints used: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Maximum quantity authorized: 50,000,000 (combined 1983 and 1984 silver dollar authorization)
Total quantity minted: Information not released by the Mint
Quantity melted: More than 1,170,511 (figure which probably includes coins for two years, dated 1983 and 1984) (Source: Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, 1985, p. 39; the specific number of coins melted was not stated and, allowing for wastage in melting, was undoubtedly slightly larger than 1,170,511. By September 30, 1985 silver amounting to 889,588.33 fine ounces had been recovered by melting Olympic silver dollars; these may have been 1983- and 1984-dated coins combined. Each silver dollar contained 0.76 troy oz. of fine silver, equivalent to 1,170,511 dollars.)
Net number distributed: Uncirculated Philadelphia Mint coins: 294,543; Uncirculated Denver Mint coins: 174,014; Uncirculated San Francisco Mint coins: 174,014; Proof San Francisco Mint coins: 1,577,025
Issued by: U.S. Mint, with certain profits to go to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. (Retail orders: The United States Mint, 55 Mint Street, San Francisco, CA 94175; wholesale and bulk ordering information: United States Mint, Warner Building, Room 1006, 501 13th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20220)
Standard original packaging: Various options (see text)
Official sale prices: Uncirculated Philadelphia Mint coins $28 (also part of Uncirculated P-D-S dollar set at $89, price later raised to $100; also sold as part of other options-see text); Uncirculated Denver Mint coins: (sold as part of Uncirculated P-D-S dollar set at $89, price later raised to $100; also sold as part of other options-see text; not sold individually); Uncirculated San Francisco Mint coins: (part of Uncirculated P-D-S dollar set at $89, price later raised to $100; also sold as part of other options-see text; not sold individually); Proof San Francisco Mint coins $24.95 in advance (later $29, still later $32; also sold as part of other options-see text); sales closed January 18, 1985
Designer of obverse: Elizabeth Jones
Designer of reverse: Elizabeth Jones (modeled by John Mercanti)
Interesting facts: This was the first United States commemorative silver dollar since the 1900 Lafayette dollar; the coins were issued a year before the event they were intended to commemorate to raise funds in advance for the American athletes.
(average market prices)
1985 MS-65 $35
1986 MS-65 $25
1990 (spring) MS-65 $20
1990 (December) MS-65 $22
(average market prices)
1985 MS-65 $42
1986 MS-65 $39
1990 (spring) MS-65 $29
1990 (December) MS-65 $26.50
1985 MS-65 $42
1986 MS-65 $39
1990 (spring) MS-65 $20
1990 (December) MS-65 $20
1985 Proof-65 $33
1986 Proof-65 $24
1990 (spring) Proof-of $18
1990 (December) Proof-65 $15