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Uploaded: 03/29/08 8:58 PM GMT
Political Games
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The Olympic Game commemorative coin for the competition that wasn't in the country that is no more.

For the top athletes in the world, this had to be one of the greatest disappointments they ever confronted. After years of training to compete with the best the world had to offer, politics got in the way, and the 1980 Summer Olympic games was boycotted by the western countries.

This US half-dollar sized copper-nickel coin was minted in 1978 to announce the coming 1980 Olympic games to be held in Moscow. The obverse contained the USSR coat of arms, while the reverse contained a representation of the Kremlin and the Olympic logo.

A complete set Olympic coins were released to the public in 1980.

81 nations participated, while the United States and 64 other nations boycotted the games. It was the lowest participation in the games since the 1956 Melbourne games.

36 World records, 39 European records and 74 Olympic records were set.

Olympic marks were improved 241 times; world marks were surpassed 97 times.

The war in Afghanistan continued.

Comments

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.TheWhisperer
03/29/08 10:33 PM GMT
You have opened up a whole new world to me in your coin collection, as I did not know people collect and take the interest in them as you seem to do. My eye was particularly drawn to the one on the right to the clock tower including the clock face. It shows the thought and creativity that someone has put into designing these. Lovely capture Don!
Ann
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.Tomeast
03/29/08 10:50 PM GMT
This boycott might have been under Carter and not Reagan, if I am correct.It was a shame and was wrong.Fine presentation again.
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::Rokh
03/29/08 10:53 PM GMT
Excellent close up Don; and wonderful narrative.
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::100k_xle
03/29/08 11:09 PM GMT
Thanks Don for the Pic and the Info. Very Informative.

E J
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.angelledaemon
03/29/08 11:25 PM GMT
beautiful
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Angelle "because reality isn't nearly as fun."
::cynlee
03/30/08 12:31 AM GMT
This one looks older though it isn't really that old. Nicely set up again and the macro process is going so well on these coins. Interesting collection you have there, Don. Do you have any for the upcoming games? Could be a replay of the boycott again.
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The government of tyrants cannot last long because it is hateful to the multitude, and what is against the wishes of the multitude cannot long be preserved. -Thomas Aquinas
.Genver
03/30/08 1:35 AM GMT
Very good close up and details.
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.corngrowth
03/30/08 1:36 PM GMT
Very interesting narrative again Don. It's amazing that every, by you 'higlighted', coin has its own story. Presentation is of the well know quality again too.
Regards, Cornelius
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Cornelius was here! (lol) Click HERE to see his work!
.Inkeri
03/30/08 6:02 PM GMT
Fascinating and so Beautiful coin..Fantastic presentation and work..
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::SEFA
03/30/08 8:44 PM GMT
Wonderful work and narrative once again Don!
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SEFA
::LynEve
03/31/08 10:17 AM GMT
Wonderful claity and another informative narrative Don
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The question is not what you look at, but what you see ~ Marcel Proust
.gerryp
04/06/08 12:20 AM GMT
Olympics...always political!! and looks as if politics is again front and center for the ones coming up in China this summer...another good shot of coins Don...gerry
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"The more we come in contact with animals, and observe their behaviour, the more we love them, for we see how great is their care for their young." - philosopher Immanuel Kant

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