1996-S XXVI Olympiad, Soccer Proof Modern Clad

About the Modern Clad

The modern era of United States Commemorative coins began in 1982 with the George Washington 250th Anniversary Half Dollar. In 1986, the first modern clad commemorative coins were released, including the Statue of Liberty Half Dollar and the Liberty Dollar.

These coins featured a copper-nickel composition with a copper-based alloy of 75-25 copper and nickel that had been introduced in 1965 when silver was removed from U.S. dimes and quarters. The clad coins feature a portrait of the Lady Liberty on the obverse of the coins and various emblems, motifs or historical figures on the reverse.

In 1986, several half-dollar coins were released to commemorate the Statue of Liberty Centennial, including the Liberty Silver Dollar, the Albatross Silver Dollar, and the Liberty Silver Half Dollar. The first Supreme Court Silver Dollar was issued in 1987.

Since then, the United States Mint has issued a variety of modern clad commemorative coins including coins to honor World War I, Korean War Veterans and the veterans of other U.S. wars. The mint also produces modern clad commemorative coins celebrating famous American landmarks such as Mount Rushmore, the Kennedy Space Center and others.

These modern clad commemorative coins are available in both proof and uncirculated versions, certified by the two major grading standards of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). Both uncirculated and proof coins can hold significant premiums over their face value.

In addition to the coins produced by the U.S. Mint, private mints produce modern clad commemorative coins. These coins are often made of an alloy of copper and zinc, and have varying designs including commemorating events, organizations and historical figures not found on nationally issued coins.

Although none contain precious metals, modern clad commemorative coins have become popular among collectors, investors and numismatists as they are a beautiful and cost-effective way to commemorate various events, organizations and people.

The 1996-S XXVI Olympiad, Soccer Proof Modern Clad coin, has a total mintage of 112,412, struck at the San Francisco, California mint, and engraved by Edgar Z. Steever. Made of copper-nickel clad copper, weighing 11.34 grams, with a diameter of 30.61 mm, and a thickness of 2.15 mm, and featuring a reeded edge.

The obverse is a ship of immigrants entering new york harbor with a skyline (circa 1913), and an image of the statue of liberty in the foreground with a rising sun in the background. It reads “LIBERTY IN GOD WE TRUST 1986”. The reverse is a family of immigrants witnessing a view of america from a pier or wharf at ellis island. It reads “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS E PLURIBUS UNUM HALF DOLLARั”.