The Special Olympics World Games silver dollar is a commemorative silver dollar issued by the United States Mint in 1995 which honors the Special Olympics and its founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
The obverse of the coin depicting Shriver became a subject of controversy for coin collectors. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts opposed depicting a living person on commemorative coins. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin approved the design despite the objections. Shriver became the fifth living person, and first living woman, depicted on United States coinage. Director of the Mint Philip N. Diehl hoped the controversy would boost sales, calling it "a blessing and a curse".
See also
List of United States commemorative coins and medals (1990s) United States commemorative coins
Notes
References