To commemorate the 2002 Olympic Winter Games that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, commemorative coins were made. True, the coins were actually published the year before in the Mint's Annual Catalog.
The Winter Olympic Commemorative Coin Act of 2002 (Public Law 106-345) granted congressional authorization for the coins. There could be no more than 80,000 gold coins and 400,000 silver dollars created under the Act.
Additionally, the usual features of commemorative coins of a similar kind were to be included in these mintings. With a 90% gold content and a.850 inch diameter, $5 gold coins were minted. The 1.5-inch-diameter silver dollars contained 90% silver.
A crystal symbol representing the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games is placed on top of another Olympic mark that is captioned "Rhythm of the Land." This insignia is seen on the obverse of the $5 Gold Coin that was issued for the Olympic Winter Games.
In relief, the Olympic flame is shown atop a cauldron on the reverse side of the coin. Donna Weaver, a sculptor and engraver at the United States Mint, was responsible for both designs.
The "Rhythm of the Land" symbol, Olympic rings, and the Crystal Emblem from the 2002 Winter Olympics are seen on the obverse of the silver dollar. It was created by John Mercanti, a sculptor and engraver for the United States Mint. On the other side of the coin, you can see the Rocky Mountains in the backdrop set against the Salt Lake City skyline. Sculptor and engraver Donna Weaver of the United States Mint created the design.
That the proofs were struck in Philadelphia and the uncirculated silver dollars in Denver is an interesting point to note. The West Point, New York Mint is responsible for striking both the proof and uncirculated $5 gold coins.
In order to provide financial assistance for the Olympic Winter Games held in Salt Lake City in 2002, surcharges were collected on the selling of these strikes.