1995 XXVI Olympiad Track and Field Commemorative Silver Dollar

The United States Mint released a total of sixteen coins in 1995 and 1996 that celebrated the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia, one of which was the 1995 XXVI Olympiad Track and Field Commemorative Silver Dollar.

Track and field events have been a part of the modern Olympic program since it began in 1896. It takes its name from the fact that most of the events are held at the main stadium which contains a running track surrounding an interior field. The running sports obviously take place on the track, whereas many of the other sports are held on the interior field.

The track and field events typically receive a majority of the public and media attention during the Olympic Games. In total, 47 different track and field competitions are held during the Olympics, 24 for men and 23 for women (the men have a 50km race walk that is not offered for women).

Silver Dollar Information

All sixteen of the XXVI Olympiad coins released by the US Mint in 1995 and 1996 were authorized by the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 102-390). Of those sixteen coins, eight were silver dollars, four were clad half dollars and four were $5 gold coins.

United States Mint Sculptor / Engraver John Mercanti designed the obverse of the Track and Field Commemorative Silver Dollar to show two sprinters running towards the finish line with the lanes of 2,3,4 and 5 visible. Surrounding the image are the inscriptions of LIBERTY, XXVI OLYMPIAD, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1995 and the USA Olympic logo.

Designed by William Krawczewicz and sculpted by T. James Ferrell, the reverse shows two hands clasped underneath the 100th anniversary Olympic logo. Also shown are the inscriptions of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ATLANTA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DOLLAR and a ‘P’ or a ‘D’ mintmark. This same reverse was used for all four of the 1995 released Olympiad Silver Dollars.

Uncirculated Track and Field Commemorative Silver Dollars were struck at the US Mint’s facility in Denver. Proof Coins were struck at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.

Surcharges collected on the sale of each coin were split between the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Inc. and the United States Olympic Committee.

1995 XXVI Track and Field Silver Dollar Coin Specifications