Coins - 1992 Prestige Set

The 1992 Prestige Set again included Olympic coins. Though neither the winter nor the summer games were held in the US, the United States Mint honored the American and all the Olympic athletes with commemorative coins.

Two of the Olympic commemorative coins were included in the Prestige Set for a total of seven coins with a face value of $2.41. The initial issue price was $56 which would be $86.87 in today's dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.

The 1992 Prestige Sets shows an example of the similar packaging used by the Mint for the different years. The size and shapes remained consistent but the colors varied through the years. 

The outer burgundy box shows the heraldic eagle from the Presidential seal printed in silver over the silver letters identifying the set: "UNITED STATES MINT 1992 PRESTIGE SET." The dimensions of the two-piece box are 5 1/4 inches by 7 3/8 inches by 1 5/8 inches. 

Inside the two-piece box, the book containing the seven coins and the Certificate of Authenticity fit snugly.

Padded, plush burgundy velvet covers the outside of the book with metal brackets protecting the corners. On the front cover, the heraldic eagle design decorates the middle of the book in a metallic emblem.

Opening the book, the silver print inside front cover shows "USA" over the five Olympic rings with "UNITED STATES MINT 1992 PRESTIGE SET" underneath. The silver print is on a white padded fabric background. In addition, a red, white and blue ribbon attaches across the lower left. This ribbon could be used to hold the Certificate of Authenticity.

To the right, a pale burgundy plastic holds the seven coins securely between two clear pieces of acrylic.

The commemorative silver dollar takes the prime space at the top of the set with the commemorative clad half dollar at the bottom right.

A softly padded white fabric inside the back cover protects the clear acrylic over the reverse of the coins. 

Just look at him, he's ready to throw that fast ball for a strike! What's the saying, "as American as baseball and apple pie?" Plus, baseball became a medal sport for the first time in the 1992 games. The Mint appropriately chose the baseball pitcher to be on the obverse of the commemorative silver dollar for the 1992 Olympic games.

"LIBERTY" follows the rim with "USA" and the Olympic rings to the left of the athlete and "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the right. The date, "1992," fits below the pitcher's mound.

The American Flag Coat of Arms with the thirteen "stars and bars"  rests on the reverse of the silver dollar under the five Olympic rings which include "USA" in the top three rings. The banner across the bottom of the Coat of Arms includes "E PLURIBUS UNUM." "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" tracks the upper part of the rim with "ONE DOLLAR" along the bottom.

Smaller than the dollar, the commemorative half dollar highlights a gymnast in flight in front of the American flag. Instead of silver, the commemorative half dollar's composition is the same as the standard half dollar of 8% nickel and 92% copper.

Above the gymnast's head, the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" are inscribed on one of the flag's stripes. Below her outstretched leg, the year, "1992," along with "USA" above the Olympic rings follows another stripe. Below the year, "LIBERTY" is inscribed. 

On the reverse of the commemorative half dollar, an olive branch crosses over the Olympic torch. The Olympic motto of "CITIUS ALTIUS FORTIUS" is inscribed above the olive branch and to the left of the torch. The Latin words "Citius, Altius, Fortius" mean "Faster, Higher, Stronger." 

"E PLURIBUS UNUM" is inscribed to the right of the torch. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "HALF DOLLAR" show around the rim.

Highlights from the 1992 Olympics:

1992 was the last year that both the Winter and Summer Olympics were held in the same year.

Albertville, France hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics with opening ceremonies on February 8 begun by President Francois Mitterand. 

64 nations participated sending a total of 1801 athletes - 1313 men and 488 women.

The sports of freestyle moguls skiing, short-track speedskating and women's biathlon became medal sports in the 1992 games.

The US won eleven medals: five gold, four silver and two bronze.

The ceremonies close on February 28.

The 1992 Summer Olympic games opened officially by King Juan Carlos I on July 25 in Barcelona, Spain.

169 nations sent 9356 athletes - 6652 men and 2704 women - to the games.

Previously a demonstration sport six different times, baseball became an Olympic sport during the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Slalom canoeing returned as a sport after being absent for 20 years.

The Olympic Committee added women's judo and badminton to the games in 1992.

The admittance of professional athletes to the games resulted in the "Dream Team" with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler and Christian Laettner. Head coach, Chuck Daly, did not call a single timeout during the Dream Team's tournament play. Later, in 1996, the NBA named ten of the twelve 1992 Dream Team players to their 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list.

The US won 108 medals: 37 gold, 34 silver and 37 bronze.

The 1992 Summer Games closed on August 9.