1988 Seoul Olympiad Commemorative Silver Dollars

The only commemorative silver dollars released by the United States Mint in 1988 were the 1988 Seoul Olympiad Commemorative Silver Dollars. These strikes marked the participation of the United States in the XXIV Olympic Games held in Seoul, South Korea.

At the games, 8,391 athletes participated in 263 events in 27 different sports. Those athletes represented 160 different countries. Notably absent were representatives from North Korea, Albania, Cuba, Madagascar and Seychelles owing to the long-standing dispute between North and South Korea. The games also marked the last for representatives from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and East Germany which both would not exist by the time of the next Olympic Games.

The games were officially opened by South Korean President Roh Tae-woo at the Seoul Olympic Stadium. That stadium is now part of the Jamsil Sports Complex.

Silver Dollar Information

Congress approved the striking of up to 10 million of the 1989 Seoul Olympiad Commemorative Silver Dollars with public law 100-141, known as the 1988 Olympic Commemorative Coin Act.

The obverse of the silver dollar was designed by Patricia Lewis Verani and shows the transfer of flame from a runner’s torch to the Olympic Torch. Also included are the inscriptions of OLYMPIAD, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1988 and the mintmark.

On the reverse, the USA Olympic logo is shown inside a wreath. It was designed by US Mint Sculptor – Engraver Sherl Joseph Winter and includes the inscriptions of 1 DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The United States Mint struck the proof Seoul Olympiad Silver Dollars at its facility in San Francisco. The uncirculated silver dollars were struck at its facility in Denver.

1988 Seoul Olympiad Silver Dollar Coin Specifications