Courtney B. writes: Dear Doc: I have a huge set of boxes and boxes of about thirty coins of Montreal 1976 Winter Olympic coins. I would really like to sell them but I don’t know how much they’re worth and whether or not people are trying to rip me off. I’d really appreciate your feedback and hope that maybe you can steer me toward the right track. Thank you, Courtney Â
The coins were minted for collectors to help raise funds for the 21st Olympiad. The 1976 Winter Olympics Canada $5 and $10 silver coins were issued four to a set and there were seven different sets for a total of 28 coins. They come in proof and uncirculated manufacture. So a complete set would have 56 pieces. They began issuing them with the 1976 date as early as 1973. The mintages are quite large for such a souvenir issue and that’s why they generally trade close to their bullion content. The $5 coins contain .7227 troy oz silver and the $10 issues contain 1.4454 troy oz silver.
There also was a gold $100 coin struck for the games. The coin shows an Ancient Greek athlete being crowned with a laurel wreath by the goddess Athena. A profile bust of Queen Elizabeth II is on the reverse.
The uncirculated issue is 14k gold and has rim denticles. The diameter is 27 mm. It was originally issued in a plastic flip in a brown sleeve. It contains a 1/4 ounce of pure gold.
The Proof issue is 22k gold, has mirror fields and frosted devices and a slightly smaller diameter and no rim denticles. The diameter is 25 mm. It contains 1/2 ounce of pure gold. It was issued in black case.
