2002 Olympic Salt Lake City Silver Dollar Commemorative Coins

The 2002 Olympic Salt Lake City Silver Dollar was the first of two 2002-dated commemorative silver coin issued by the United States Mint during the year.

2002-P Proof Olympic Salt Lake City Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin

It was released along with a gold commemorative coin to help support the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games as well as the programs of the United States Olympic Committee.

Modern Olympic Games were first held in 1896 but were based on the ancient games held in Greece from approximately the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD. However, missing from the sports line-up of the new games were several winter related activities. A few of these were added in the early 20th century to the Olympics, but it was not until 1924 that a separate event included just the colder weather sports — the first Winter Olympics, which was held in Chamonix, France.

Held every four years with the exception of 1940 and 1944 due to World War II, the Winter Olympics were hosted by the United States in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002. The opening ceremony for those Olympics were held on February 8 with the closing ceremony held on February 24. In between, approximately 2,400 athletes competed in 78 events.

Olympic Salt Lake City Silver Dollar Information

The Olympic Salt Lake Silver Dollar was authorized as part of the 2002 Winter Olympic Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 106-435). The Act was approved on November 6, 2000, and dictated that no more than 400,000 of the silver dollars could be struck by the US Mint.

2002-P Uncirculated Olympic Salt Lake City Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin

Design requirements put in place by the legislation demanded that the coins be "emblematic of the participation of American athletes in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games." As such, the obverse contained an image of the Crystal Emblem of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Olympic Rings, and the Games’ secondary identity mark entitled: "Rhythm of the Land." It was designed by US Mint sculptor/engraver John Mercanti and also shows the inscriptions SALT LAKE 2002, XIX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.

Shown on the reverse is a portrayal of the Salt Lake City skyline, complete with the Rocky Mountains in the background. It was designed by US Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver and includes the inscriptions XIX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES, E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and the Philadelphia mintmark "P".

The commemorative coins were produced in both proof and uncirculated collector versions and actually released for sale from the US Mint in late 2001.

A 2002-dated West Point Silver Dollar was also issued by the US Mint during the year.

Olympic Salt Lake City Silver Dollar Specifications