Q. David Bowers
Commemorating: 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, California
Obverse motif: Two Olympic runners
Reverse motif: Great Seal of the United States
Authorization date: July 22, 1982
Date on coins: 1984
Dates when coins were actually minted: 1983-1984
Mints used: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, West Point
Maximum quantity authorized: 2,000,000
Total quantity minted: Information not released by the Mint
Quantity melted: Information not released by the Mint
Net number distributed: 33,309 Proof Philadelphia Mint coins; 34,533 Proof Denver Mint coins; 48,551 Proof San Francisco Mint coins; 75,886 Uncirculated West Point Mint coins; 381,085 Proof West Point Mint coins
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: Proof Philadelphia Mint coins $352; Proof Denver Mint coins $352; Proof San Francisco Mint coins $352; Uncirculated West Point Mint coins $339; also sold as part of other options-see text); Proof West Point Mint coins $352; also sold as part of other options-see text); sales closed January 18, 1985
Designers of obverse: Sketch by James M. Peed (based on suggestions by Donna Pope and Angela Buchanan) revised by John Mercanti
Designer of reverse: John Mercanti
Interesting facts: This was the first commemorative gold coin issue since 1926; this was the only commemorative design ever to be issued at four different U.S. mints; the 1984-D was the first Proof-only issue of any denomination to be produced at the Denver Mint.
(average market prices)
1985 Proof-65 $700
1986 Proof-65 $750
1990 (spring) Proof-65 $320
1990 (December) Proof-65 $305
(average market prices)
1985 Proof-65 $625
1986 Proof-65 $580
1990 (spring) Proof-65 $235
1990 (December) Proof-65 $245
(average market prices)
1985 Proof-65 $600
1986 Proof-65 $550
1990 (spring) Proof-65 $220
1990 (December) Proof-65 $230
(average market prices)
1985 MS-65$370
1986 MS-65 $390
1990 (spring) MS-65 $212.50
1990 (December) MS-65 $215
(average market prices)
1985 MS-65 $335
1986 Proof-65 $325
1990 (spring) Proof-65 $212.50
1990 (December) Proof-65 $200
The Continuing Story of Commemoratives
The price structure of commemorative gold coins issued from 1984 onward was predicated somewhat upon the prevailing price of gold bullion, although the premium charged was such that gold would have had to have risen tremendously in value to come dose to the initial Mint list prices.
Continuing fluctuations in bullion in later years were to have effects on the aftermarket for modem commemoratives. In general, when bullion gold prices rose, the price of Uncirculated and Proof commemorative gold coins rose as well. When bullion fell, coin prices fell. Later, certain gold issues sold on the aftermarket for less than the issue prices. Some collectors and investors were quick to blame the Mint for this, as if the Mint could have predicted the future. The situation was as hurtful to the Mint and its programs as it was to those who bought the coins.