The 1995 Special Olympics World Games Commemorative Silver Dollar was released by the United States Mint to mark the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in New Haven, Connecticut.
The Special Olympics are an international sporting competition held around the world for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The event can trace its root back to 1962 and Eunice Kennedy Shriver who held a summer day camp at her estate which allowed the individuals to participate in different sporting events.
This led to the first games at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois in 1968 where 1,000 different individuals from the United States and Canada participated. By the 1995 Games, over 7,000 athletes from 143 countries came to participate in 21 different sports.
Silver Dollar Information
The US Mint released the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Silver Dollar as part of Public Law 103-328, specifically section 204. Funds raised by the surcharge on the sale of each silver dollar was directed to be paid to the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee, Inc.
On the obverse, a portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver is shown, as completed by U.S. Mint Sculptor / Engraver T. James Ferrell based on art from Jamie Wyeth. Eunice is credited by many in being instrumental in the creation of the games. This coin also marked the first time a living female was shown on a coin from the US Mint. Also shown on the obverse were the inscriptions of SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1995 and the mintmark.
The reverse of the 1995 Special Olympics World Games Commemorative Silver Dollar includes a depiction of a Special Olympics Medal along with the quote "AS WE HOPE FOR THE BEST IN THEM, HOPE IS REBORN IN US. – Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder". Included as well were the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE DOLLAR. It was designed by Thomas D. Rogers.
These coins were struck in both proof and uncirculated quality at the West Point and Philadelphia Mints, respectively.
1995 Special Olympics Silver Dollar Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $1 |
| Composition: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Total Estimated Mintage: | 351,764 Proof, 89,301 Uncirculated |
| Diameter: | 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 26.73 grams |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Minting Facility: | West Point (W), Philadelphia (P) |
| Obverse Design: | Portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver |
| Obverse Designer: | T. James Ferrell |
| Reverse Design: | Special Olympics Medal and a Quotation from Eunice Kennedy Shriver |
| Reverse Designer: | Thomas D. Rogers |
The commemorative 
The commemorative 
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