1976 Montreal Olympics Series I Commemorative Sterling Silver Coin Set
Coin/Bullion (Numismatic Commemorative Set) · Royal Canadian Mint, the official mint of Canada, established in 1908. Renowned for high-purity precious metal refining and world-class strike quality for commemorative issues.
Pattern: Series I: Geographic Motifs, 1976 Montreal Olympics (COJO 76) commemorative coin program (issued 1973-1976).
Type
Coin/Bullion (Numismatic Commemorative Set)
Maker
Royal Canadian Mint, the official mint of Canada, established in 1908. Renowned for high-purity precious metal refining and world-class strike quality for commemorative issues.
Material
Sterling Silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper). Each $10 coin contains approximately 1.445 troy oz of pure silver; each $5 coin contains approximately 0.723 troy oz of pure silver.
Dimensions
$10 Coins: 45mm diameter, 48.6g total weight. $5 Coins: 38mm diameter, 24.3g total weight. The four-coin set totals approximately 4.336 troy ounces of pure silver content.
Description
A classic example of 20th-century numismatic history, this set represents the first of seven series issued for the Montreal Olympics. The designs are characterized by their clean, late-modernist aesthetic, featuring the Queen's effigy and geometric interpretations of Olympic sports and Canadian geography. Housed in its original red 'clamshell' case, it serves as both a historical souvenir and a significant silver bullion asset.
Key Features
First series of the Montreal commemorative program; high-relief striking; sterling silver purity rather than the .800 usually common in Canadian silver; inclusion of both $5 and $10 denominations.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper). Each $10 coin contains approximately 1.445 troy oz of pure silver; each $5 coin contains approximately 0.723 troy oz of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) strike with a satin-to-mirror finish. Features the Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and stylized Olympic themes (Sailing and Skyline motifs visible) on the reverse with radial line backgrounds.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped on face: 'ELIZABETH II CANADA 1973/1974' (obverse), 'Montréal 1976 Olympiade XXI Olympiad' with denominations '5 Dollars' or '10 Dollars' (reverse). No assay hallmarks are required as they are legal tender coinage with 'CANADA' and '925' purity implied by government issue.
Construction Details
Machine-struck using high-pressure dies at the Royal Canadian Mint. These are 'uncirculated' grade strikes, though of a higher quality than standard circulation currency, produced specifically for collectors.
Functional Features
Housed in original protective acrylic air-tite capsules to prevent oxidation, seated in a red velvet-lined presentation case with a hinged lid.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable (Coinage). Handling is facilitated by the clear plastic capsules; the coins themselves should not be touched by bare hands to avoid permanent fingerprint oils.
Craftsmanship Details
Precision die-struck quality. The radial lines on the reverse are a testament to the Royal Canadian Mint's ability to produce complex, anti-counterfeit textures even in the 1970s.
Authentication Indicators
Weight consistency (48.6g/$10, 24.3g/$5); correct edge graining; Machin portrait precision; COJO copyright stamp on inner lid. Known series specifications match diameter and thickness perfectly.
Origin & Manufacturing
Ottawa and Hull facilities of the Royal Canadian Mint, Canada. The packaging carries the 'COJO 76' copyright mark of the Montreal Olympic Organizing Committee.
Era & Period
Modern Commemorative (1970s). Issued during the Trudeau era in Canada to fund the massive infrastructure costs of the 1976 Montreal Summer Games.
Age Estimate
Issued between 1973 and 1976. The specific 'Copyright 1972' on the box lid indicates the early licensing of the Series I sets.
Cultural Significance
Represents Canada’s entrance onto the global stage as a major Olympic host and reflects the 1970s boom in silver commemorative collecting. It remains a staple of Canadian numismatic history.
Condition Notes
Excellent state. The coins appear bright with no visible 'milk spots' or heavy toning, likely due to remaining sealed in capsules. The box shows minor shelf wear typical of 50-year-old fabric cases. Overall: Excellent.
Value Estimate
$120 - $160 USD (highly dependent on the spot price of silver, as these sets often trade near their 'melt' value plus a 10-20% collector premium).
Care & Maintenance
Do not remove coins from capsules. Store in a cool, dry place. If the silver tarnishes through the seals, do not use abrasive polishes; professional conservation is required to maintain numismatic value.
Similar Pieces
1972 Munich Olympic silver sets (lower purity), 1980 Moscow Olympic silver coins, and subsequent Canadian Maple Leaf bullion coins (which moved to .9999 purity).
Interesting Facts
The Montreal 1976 coin program was the most ambitious in history at that time, involving 28 different silver coins. It was a primary vessel for financing the 'Big O' (Olympic Stadium), which famously took decades to pay off.