Coins - Young Collectors
Edition Coin Sets - 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 4 - Soccer
In 1996, the last of the coin sets for the Young Collectors Olympic Games Series commemorates the
Atlanta Centennial Games with the sport of soccer on a clad half dollar. The United States Mint provided four
of these coin sets, two in 1995 and two in 1996.
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 in the white USA Olympics jerseys play soccer with a
bespectacled opponent in a yellow shirt.
The title of the package states, "Young Collector's Edition Series #4" at the top with "U.S. Olympic Coins of
the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games" near the bottom.
On the back, Charlie, their dog, runs in front of the Certificate of Authenticity banner.
Certificate of Authenticity
U.S. Olympic Coins of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games
1996 Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar Soccer 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: 1996
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Uncirculated
Weight: 11.340 grams
Diameter: 30.61 millimeters
Composition: 92% copper, 8% nickel
Obverse Design: Soccer
Obverse Designer: Clint Hansen
Reverse Design: Atlanta Logo
Reverse Designer: Malcolm Farley
Philip N. Diehl
Director of the Mint
The front of the inner coin package looks like the front of the outer sleeve except the
coin replaces the soccer ball.
The back of the inner coin package shows more players and an arena filled with fans. The information block
includes:
FACT: Over 10,000 athletes will participate in the 1996 Olympic Games. Approximately 11
million tickets will be available for these events, and 3.5 billion people around the world are expected
to watch the Games on TV.
Opened, the coin package, front and back, provides the view of the soccer game, the field of
play and the many eager fans watching the action.
Similarly, the inside provides another view of the soccer match with the coin as the soccer
"ball."
Unfolded still further, the game changes slightly with the soccer ball (coin) almost into
the goal.
On this section, the information includes:
The History of Modern Soccer
The version of soccer that we play today originated in England back in the 1800's. It has been a Modern Olympic
event from almost the beginning with the first official Olympic soccer tournament being played in Paris in
1900. The 1996 Olympic Games will be the first time ever that women's soccer will be a medal event!
On the field of play, this message states:
Football
Soccer is "football" in almost every country besides the United States. A sport must be popular in at least 50
countries on 33 continents before it can be considered as a full medal sport in the Olympic Games. Perhaps some
day the American version of football will be an Olympic sport too.
In the next scene with the coin's reverse (tails) acting as the soccer ball, the information block reads:
What makes these coins special
A coin's value depends on its condition and how easily it can be obtained. Because this coin will never go into
circulation, it will remain in perfect condition as long as you do not remove it from this special package.
And, because this is a commemorative coin, that means only a limited number of collectors will get
one.
The final block where the coin's obverse (heads) travels through the air as a soccer ball, the text
reads:
A Growing Sport in the United States
The United States didn't enter the Olympic Soccer competition until 1924, and the game has experienced growing
popularity in our country ever since. Only sixteen men's teams and eight women's teams will be able to compete
in this exclusive tournament, and since the United States is hosting the Olympic Games, we automatically
qualify! It will be this country's biggest soccer event since hosting the World Cup Soccer Tournament in
1994.
In honor of the introduction of women's soccer to the Olympic medal events, the obverse (heads) shows two
women players working to take control of the ball.
The reverse (tails) shows the Atlanta Centennial Games logo.
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.
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