Qt on USSR Olympic Commems

[paisepagal]

Just wondering whether these coins were only issued in special mint sets. Or were they (even theoretically) available at face value in the 80's ?

   1 rouble       289       Olympics - Wrestlers       1991   
   1 rouble       290       Olympics - Javelin Throwers       1991   
   1 rouble       291       Olympics - Cyclists and Charioteers       1991   
   1 rouble       299       Olympics - Weight lifter       1991   
   1 rouble       300       Olympics - Broad Jumpers       1991   
   1 rouble       302       Olympics - Runners       1991   
   5 roubles       145       1980 Olympics - Kiev City       1977   
   5 roubles       146       1980 Olympics - Leningrad City       1977   
   5 roubles       147       1980 Olympics - Minsk City       1977   
   5 roubles       148       1980 Olympics - Tallin City       1977   
   5 roubles       154       1980 Olympics - Racing       1978   
   5 roubles       155       1980 Olympics - Swimming       1978   
   5 roubles       156       1980 Olympics - High Jump       1978   
   5 roubles       157       1980 Olympics - Equestrian       1978   
   5 roubles       166       1980 Olympics - Weightlifting       1979   
   5 roubles       167       1980 Olympics - Hammer Throw       1979   
   5 roubles       179       1980 Olympics - Archery       1980   
   5 roubles       180       1980 Olympics - Gymnastics       1980   
   5 roubles       181       1980 Olympics - Equestrian / Isindi       1980   
   5 roubles       182       1980 Olympics - Gorodki / Stick throwing       1980   

[gxseries]

The nickel copper coins did circulate however the silver coins didn't - they were sold at some ridicious prices which some mentioned that it would be 50 dollars per coin in today's dollar. If you looked at silver prices back then when the Hunt's Brother made a mess with the silver pricing, it's not a wonder.

The Soviet Mints practically made a loss big time for the Olympic coins. There are however a few different varities out there and some are just plainly rare.

[paisepagal]

Sorry if I seem pedantic, I haven't been very involved with ussr coins.
So if I understand you correctly, these particular coinswhich I have listed were issued in cu-ni and silver. And the cu-ni were issued at face ? While the silvers were issued in special mint packages?

[Figleaf]

Your question concerns two types of coins.

The rubles are in cu-ni only, but there are unc and proof versions. The uncs were issued at face and are the most common. However, Soviet plastic contained boatloads of softener, so proofs may well look like uncs and can be restored by acetone.

The 5 ruble pieces are all in silver; they did not circulate, either in unc or in proof. I think they were originally sealed in bad plastic, but I see them mostly offered without packaging. Probably, word got around.

Peter

[paisepagal]

Ah ok, so 5 rubles were all issued in silver ... I can ignore that then... So have to work on those 1 ruble coins!

[andyg]

Ah ok, so 5 rubles were all issued in silver ... I can ignore that then... So have to work on those 1 ruble coins!

Krause lists the 1991 series in proof only...  have never seen any that make me think otherwise.
They might have been sold for face value I suppose?

[gxseries]

Proof Moscow Olympic ni-cupro coins are actually quite scarce. Most coins produced in the cellophane packaging are UNC or proof-like but genuine proof coins were only produced in limited amount. This would have been in a hard plastic box case - came in a 6 coin package.

The Barcelona Olympic coins were not sold at face value.

[andyg]

So, in conclusion, all the coins in the list on the first post were not issued at face value

HTH