U.S. Olympic $1 and $5 Issues Available

Question: Do you think that the U.S. Mint will offer the 1988 Olympic gold and silver coins with P, D and S mint marks in proof and uncirculated as it did for the 1984 Olympic coins? Also, would you list the final mintage figures for the proof gold and silver Eagles for 1986 and 1987, for both 1-ounce and half-ounce coins? What are the current bid and ask prices for these coins?--J.Y.

Answer: The 1988 U.S. Olympic coins are being issued in proof and uncirculated $1 and $5 denominations. The dollar is silver, the $5 is gold. The silver proof will carry an S for the San Francisco Mint.

The silver uncirculated dollar will have a D (for Denver) mint mark.

Both proof and uncirculated $5 gold pieces will have a W, for the West Point Bullion Depository.

The pre-issue price time limit for ordering these Olympic coins has passed, but they are still available at the regular price: $29 for the proof $1, $235 for the proof $5 and $260 for the two-coin proof set; $27 for the uncirculated $1, $225 for the uncirculated $5 and $250 for the two-coin uncirculated set. For each gold piece sold, $35 goes to the U.S. Olympic Committee; $7 for each silver dollar.

Mail orders to United States Mint, 1988 United States Olympic Coins, P.O. Box 7450, Philadelphia, Pa. 19162-0022; telephone (800) 441-4040.

To get on the mint’s regular mailing list, write to U.S. Mint Customer Service, 10001 Aerospace Drive, Lanham, Md. 20706.

As for the Eagle mintage figures, I have only those for the 1986 silver proof, which is 1,384,855, and the 1986 gold proof, 431,090. Bid and ask prices for these bullion coins fluctuate daily with the spot price of gold. Check with several coin dealers who can quote you daily prices.

Coin news

Fans of Mickey Mouse can help celebrate his 60th anniversary this year with a 1-ounce silver proof commemorative medal marking the birthday. The Walt Disney creation is being honored by the Rarities mint of Anaheim, with a medal depicting Mickey in his first role as Steamboat Willie in 1928 (pictured) with the reverse showing Mickey today in tux and tennies. Each proof is individually serialized and mounted in a leatherette case. Specimens are $39.95 each. Order by calling (800) 641-9585.