Coins - Young Collectors Edition Coin Sets - 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 4 - Soccer

In 1996, the last of the coin sets for the Young Collectors Olympic Games Series commemorates the Atlanta Centennial Games with the sport of soccer on a clad half dollar. The United States Mint provided four of these coin sets, two in 1995 and two in 1996.

The coin set package - six inches by six inches by 1/4 inch -  is made with an outer sleeve constructed of card stock printed in color and an inner package, also of color card stock, folded to protect the coin and provide several surfaces on which to share information about the Olympic Games and the commemorative coins.

On the front of the package, Jeremiah and Christina in the white USA Olympics jerseys play soccer with a bespectacled opponent in a yellow shirt.

The title of the package states, "Young Collector's Edition Series #4" at the top with "U.S. Olympic Coins of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games" near the bottom.   

On the back, Charlie, their dog, runs in front of the Certificate of Authenticity banner. 

Certificate of Authenticity
U.S. Olympic Coins of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games
1996 Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar Soccer Coin

This certifies that this coin is a genuine U.S. Olympic Coin of the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games struck in accordance with legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President on October 6, 1992, as Public Law 102-390. Produced by the United States Mint, this coin is legal tender of the United States.

Specifications for the Clad Half Dollar

Date: 1996
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Uncirculated
Weight: 11.340 grams 
Diameter: 30.61 millimeters 
Composition: 92% copper, 8% nickel
Obverse Design: Soccer
Obverse Designer: Clint Hansen
Reverse Design: Atlanta Logo
Reverse Designer: Malcolm Farley

Philip N. Diehl
Director of the Mint 

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 4 - Soccer

The front of the inner coin package looks like the front of the outer sleeve except the coin replaces the soccer ball.   

The back of the inner coin package shows more players and an arena filled with fans. The information block includes:

FACT: Over 10,000 athletes will participate in the 1996 Olympic Games. Approximately 11 million tickets will be available for these events, and 3.5 billion people around the world are expected to watch the Games on TV. 

Opened, the coin package, front and back, provides the view of the soccer game, the field of play and the many eager fans watching the action.  

Similarly, the inside provides another view of the soccer match with the coin as the soccer "ball." 

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 4 - Soccer

Unfolded still further, the game changes slightly with the soccer ball (coin) almost into the goal. 

On this section, the information includes:

The History of Modern Soccer
The version of soccer that we play today originated in England back in the 1800's. It has been a Modern Olympic event from almost the beginning with the first official Olympic soccer tournament being played in Paris in 1900. The 1996 Olympic Games will be the first time ever that women's soccer will be a medal event! 

On the field of play, this message states:

Football
Soccer is "football" in almost every country besides the United States. A sport must be popular in at least 50 countries on 33 continents before it can be considered as a full medal sport in the Olympic Games. Perhaps some day the American version of football will be an Olympic sport too. 

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 4 - Soccer

In the next scene with the coin's reverse (tails) acting as the soccer ball, the information block reads:

What makes these coins special
A coin's value depends on its condition and how easily it can be obtained. Because this coin will never go into circulation, it will remain in perfect condition as long as you do not remove it from this special package. And, because this is a commemorative coin, that means only a limited number of collectors will get one. 

The final block where the coin's obverse (heads) travels through the air as a soccer ball, the text reads:

A Growing Sport in the United States
The United States didn't enter the Olympic Soccer competition until 1924, and the game has experienced growing popularity in our country ever since. Only sixteen men's teams and eight women's teams will be able to compete in this exclusive tournament, and since the United States is hosting the Olympic Games, we automatically qualify! It will be this country's biggest soccer event since hosting the World Cup Soccer Tournament in 1994. 

In honor of the introduction of women's soccer to the Olympic medal events, the obverse (heads) shows two women players working to take control of the ball. 

The reverse (tails) shows the Atlanta Centennial Games logo.  

These coin sets of the Atlanta Centennial Games provide information and history. Enjoy collecting these coins either as one of these coin sets or as a commemorative coin.

Click on the picture at left to access the purchase information for the Young Collectors Edition Coin Set: 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games - Series 4 - Soccer