Traditionally, Olympic coins are numismatic coins.Coins of the Modern Olympic Games, Volume 1, Michele Menard, page 8, However, several host countries minted so many coins – particularly silver ones – that their value has become just slightly above the value of their metal content. Coins for the 1976 Montreal, 1984 Los Angeles, and 1988 Seoul are generally considered to fall into that category.
There have been cases, though, in which host countries minted circulating commemorative coins. For example, Canada's Lucky Loonie program and its 2007 25-cent pieces to commemorate the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, and Brazil's 1-real pieces that commemorate the 2014 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Summer Games YearEventNumber of Coins18961896 Summer Olympics, Athens, GreeceNone19001900 Summer Olympics, Paris, France19041904 Summer Olympics, St. Louis, USA19081908 Summer Olympics, London, England19121912 Summer Olympics, Stockholm, Sweden19201920 Summer Olympics, Antwerp, Belgium19241924 Summer Olympics, Paris, France19281928 Summer Olympics, Amsterdam, Netherlands19321932 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, USA19361936 Summer Olympics, Berlin, Germany19481948 Summer Olympics, London, England19521952 Summer Olympics, Helsinki, Finland119561956 Summer Olympics, Melbourne, Australia and Stockholm, SwedenNone19601960 Summer Olympics, Rome, Italy19641964 Summer Olympics, Tokyo, Japan219681968 Summer Olympics, Mexico City, Mexico119721972 Summer Olympics, Munich, Germany619761976 Summer Olympics, Montreal, Canada301980Summer Olympics, Moscow, Russia4519841984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, USA619881988 Summer Olympics, Seoul, Korea3219921992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona, Spain3019961996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta, USA1620002000 Summer Olympics, Sydney, Australia5920042004 Summer Olympics, Athens, Greece120082008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China27 "USOC selects distributors for Beijing Games coinage", Jeff Starek, Coin World, June 25, 2007, p. 11020122012 Summer Olympics, London, United Kingdom3320162016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil3620202020 Summer Olympics, Tokyo, Japan3920242024 Summer Olympics, Paris, France
2000 Sydney Olympics This set has been popular with collectors, with people still trying to get hold of a complete set. The first coin in this set was sold out at the quickly and it has left many people with incomplete sets.
Olympic Gold Proof Coin Collection The eight gold coins of the collection depict the athlete's journey from the inspiration of the Games logo, through dedication to the task, preparation for the event and final achievement. The coins have been released progressively from October 1997 to February 2000. The worldwide mintage of gold coins is limited to only 30,000 per design. All the gold coins carry the 'P' mintmark of The Perth Mint and bear the year 2000, making them the first coins of the year 2000. Colour is used on selected gold coin designs - another first for Australian and official Olympic Games coins. Each coin is accompanied by a serial-numbered certificate of authenticity and is presented in a green presentation case.
DenominationMetalMassDiameterMint MarkMintageA $10024 kt Gold10.00 grams25.00 mmP for Perth Mint30,000 per design
YearThemeReverse DesignBorder of the Coin1997Journey BeginsDepicts the determination to train in defiance of the elementsA border of Olympic flames surrounds the logo.N/ADedication IOfficial logo of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in colourThe border of the coin represents a heart monitor, taking its measure of the athlete's exertions.Dedication IIThe third gold coin in the series symbolises the athlete's dedication to attaining peak fitness in the quest for Olympic glory. The pain and effort of a gruelling weights session in the gymnasium are symbolised in the image, which represents the common experience of athletes across a range of Olympic sports. Athletes of various nationalities, both male and female, are personified in the design.The border comprises items of equipment used in training for many Olympic sports, from a loud-hailer used in rowing training, to boxing gloves, a hockey stick and a tennis racquet.Preparation IDepicts a veteran athletics coach demonstrating shot put technique to aspiring young athletes.Dramatic shades of blue around the border evoke the cold mountainous regions of the world, from which some of the Olympic athletes will come. The ring of mountains links fifteen of the official pictograms, which depict the sports of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.Preparation IIThe central image on the reverse design depicts an athlete and coach working on one of the most crucial aspects of a sprint race - the start.The border comprises 15 of the 34 official pictograms representing the sports and disciplines of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The colour green in the border represents the cultivated and tropical areas from which some of the Olympic competitors will come.Achievement (Stadium)The central image on the reverse design depicts the Olympic Stadium, the largest outdoor venue in Olympic history. It is the centrepiece of Sydney Olympic Park, and will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies. The coins red border comprises 15 of the 34 official pictograms representing the sports and disciplines of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The red colour represents the rugged regions from which many Australian athletes come.Achievement (Athlete)The presentation of the ultimate athletic prize - an Olympic gold medal - is the central image on the reverse design.The coin's yellow border comprises 15 of the 34 official pictograms representing the sports and disciplines of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The shades of yellow represent the arid and desert areas from which many of the world's greatest athletes now come.Achievement (Torch)The central image of the coin is the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch, which draws its inspiration from the Sydney Opera House, the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the curve of the boomerang.The border shows 25 athletes carrying the Olympic flame.
$5 Silver Proof Coin Collection The silver coins depict the wider role of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as a symbol of peace and cultural harmony, and the uniqueness of Australia's environment. The Sydney 2000 Olympic Silver Coin Collection consists of 16 proof quality coins that have been released two at a time between October 1997 and February 2000. One coin in each release reflects the coming together of peoples and ideas in our culturally diverse nation, as expressed in the four great festivals being celebrated in Sydney leading up to the Olympic Games. The other coin highlights the environmental richness of the Australian continent. Each coin bears the mintmark of the Mint producing the coin. The 2000 Olympic Silver set comprises sixteen coins struck in 99.9% pure silver. These coins were designed to represent both Australia's cultural history and environment. The silver set is available in the complete set of sixteen coins, or individually.
Specifications DenominationCompositionWeightDiameterMintageA $5Silver (99.9%)31.635 grams40.50 mm100,000
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