Coins - Young Collectors Edition Coin Sets - 1995 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 2 - Baseball

In 1995, the United States Mint offered three different Young Collectors Edition Coin Sets with two for the Olympics to be held in Atlanta in 1996. The second of the Olympic coin sets included a clad half dollar for baseball.

The coin set package - six inches by six inches by 1/4 inch -  is made with an outer sleeve constructed of card stock printed in color and an inner package, also of color card stock, folded to protect the coin and provide several surfaces on which to share information about the Olympic Games and the commemorative coins.

On the front of the package, Jeremiah and Christina play baseball with Jeremiah ready to catch a fly ball with his glove as Christina watches. Charlie, their dog, sits in the dugout watching the game. 

The title of the package states, "Young Collector's Edition Series 2" at the top with "U.S. Olympic Coins of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games" near the bottom.  

The back of the outer package shows the people in the stands holding the Certificate of Authenticity on a banner: 

Certificate of Authenticity
U.S. Olympic Coins of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games
1995 Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar Baseball Coin

This certifies that this coin is a genuine U.S. Olympic Coin of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President on October 6, 1992, as Public Law 102-390. Produced by the United States Mint, this coin is legal tender of the United States.

Specifications for the Clad Half Dollar

Date: 1995
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Uncirculated
Weight: 11.340 grams 
Diameter: 30.61 millimeters 
Composition: 92% copper, 8% nickel
Obverse Design: Baseball Players in Action
Obverse Designer: Edgar Steever
Reverse Design: Globe
Reverse Designer: T. James Ferrell

Philip N. Diehl
Director of the Mint 

The front of the inside package is the same as the outer package except the baseball was replaced by the coin. 

The back shows the stands full of people enjoying the game and adds, "Fact: The 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta will mark the seventh time that the United States has been host to the Modern Olympic Games - the most ever by any country." 

Unfolded, the outside of the coin package, front and back, shows the full scene of the game with Christina and Jeremiah playing in the outfield.

Further unfolded, the different sections provide space for information about the Olympic Games and coins. 

The inside of the unfolded package portrays the game where a home run has been hit high into the stands.  A glimpse of Izzy, the Atlanta Centennial Games mascot, can be seen just to the left of the coin (ball).

On this block, the message states:

America's National Pastime

Baseball's origins may be traced to the English game called "Rounders," but the fundamental rules of baseball were made up right here in the United States - so Americans claim the sport as their very own!

Next, shown on the spectators in the stands:

A Popular Sport Watched and Played by Millions 

Baseball appeared in the Olympic Games as an exhibition sport first in 1904, and then again in 1912, and was officially added to the Olympic program for the first time in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992. The even will have over 1.6 million spectator tickets available for the 1996 Olympic Games.

On the section with the obverse (heads) view of the coin, the content states:

100 Years of Olympic Spirit - A Centennial Celebration

The Modern Olympic Games were first organized in 1896 to promote amateur athletics and to encourage world peace and friendship. In 1996, some 200 countries will send athletes to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the 29 sports of the Olympic Summer Games. 

For the coin's reverse (tails), the artist portrayed the coin as a home run ball hit into the stands. The blue creature to the left of the coin is Izzy, the mascot of the Atlanta Centennial Games.  

Above the coin, the message reads:

Catch the Spirit - Collect the Series

Coins are legal tender works of art that use pictures to tell a story. Often, coins are minted to commemorate a famous person or special event. By collecting all four coins in the Young Collector's Olympic Games Series, you're holding on to a very important, very special piece of history.

The coin's obverse shows a batter preparing to hit one out of the park. The catcher gives the pitcher a signal with his right hand beside his leg and out of the view of the batter. In the meantime, the umpire crouches behind the catcher waiting to make his next call.

The reverse (tails) shows the Atlanta Centennial Games logo over a globe.  

These coin sets of the Atlanta Centennial Games provide information and history. Enjoy collecting these coins either as one of these coin sets or as a commemorative coin.