1983-D $1LA Olympic Silver Commem – BU

The 1983-D $1 Olympic Silver Dollar represents a significant milestone in American numismatic history as part of the first modern U.S. commemorative coin program. Struck to celebrate the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, California, this coin emerged during a fascinating period of Olympic history.

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics came at a tense moment in the Cold War. Just as these commemorative coins were being minted in 1983, Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov made the controversial decision to withdraw the entire Communist Bloc from the upcoming games, casting a shadow over what would become known as the "Friendship Games." Despite this political maneuver, American athletes like Mary Lou Retton, Carl Lewis, and Greg Louganis would go on to deliver some of the most memorable Olympic performances in history.

Designed by Elizabeth Jones, the 11th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, this silver dollar showcases her exceptional artistic vision. Jones, the first woman to hold this prestigious position, created a dynamic design that perfectly captures the spirit of Olympic competition. Her artistic interpretation of athletic movement demonstrates why she was selected for this important role.

The coin's limited mintage of just 174,014 pieces from the Denver Mint makes it particularly desirable for collectors. Unlike many modern commemoratives with higher production numbers, this relatively small mintage enhances its collectibility and potential appreciation over time.

With its 90% silver composition, this commemorative dollar continues the tradition of the classic Morgan and Peace dollars, offering both numismatic interest and precious metal content. The coin stands as both a celebration of athletic achievement and a snapshot of American history during the Reagan era, when Los Angeles hosted what would become known as one of the most financially successful Olympic Games ever held.

Design Features

The obverse of the 1983-D Olympic Silver Dollar features a masterfully executed discus thrower in motion. Elizabeth Jones brilliantly incorporated three shadowed outlines behind the athlete to convey a sense of movement and energy—a technical achievement in coin design that creates the illusion of motion on a static medium. The thrower's muscular form and dynamic pose capture the power, grace, and athletic precision embodied in Olympic competition. Surrounding this central image are the inscriptions "Los Angeles XXIII Olympiad," "In God We Trust," the year "1983," and "Liberty," anchoring the coin in both time and American tradition.

The reverse design showcases a majestic bald eagle with wings outstretched, symbolizing American strength, freedom, and national pride. This powerful national symbol is presented within a distinctive circular border design that creates two separate fields. The inner circle contains the Latin motto "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of Many, One), while the outer ring bears the inscriptions "United States of America" and "One Dollar." This dual-ring composition creates a medallion-like quality that distinguishes it from other U.S. coinage of the era.

Product Highlights

• Metal Type: SILVER – Hedge
• Purity: 0.9
• Weight: 0.7734 oz
• Manufacturer: United States Mint
• Mint Mark: D – Denver
• IRA Eligible: No
• Obverse: Discus thrower in motion with three shadowed outlines, inscriptions "Los Angeles XXIII Olympiad," "In God We Trust," "1983," and "Liberty"
• Reverse: Bald eagle within circular border, "E Pluribus Unum," "United States of America," and "One Dollar"

Investment Appeal

The 1983-D Olympic Silver Dollar offers collectors and investors a compelling combination of historical significance, artistic merit, and precious metal content. As part of the inaugural modern U.S. commemorative coin program, it holds a special place in American numismatic history. This Denver Mint issue contains 0.7734 ounces of 90% silver, providing tangible precious metal value beyond its numismatic premium.

What makes this coin particularly attractive is its limited mintage of just 174,014 pieces—significantly lower than many modern commemoratives. This scarcity, combined with its connection to the historic 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, creates ongoing collector demand. The coin's design by Elizabeth Jones, the first woman to serve as Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, adds further historical and artistic significance.

For investors focusing on diversification, this piece offers an excellent entry point into numismatic silver that bridges bullion investment with collectible appeal. Unlike generic silver products, commemorative coins like this typically command premiums that can increase over time as the fixed mintage faces natural attrition. The Olympic theme gives this coin international recognition and appeal, potentially expanding its market beyond U.S. collectors to Olympic memorabilia enthusiasts worldwide.