1979 Platinum Proof Wrestling Coin - Moscow Olympics

1979 Olympic Wrestling Proof Platinum Coin from the Soviet Union.

This commemorative coin celebrates the 1980 Moscow Olympics. It contains 0.4991 troy ounces of platinum, struck in .999 fineness.

This coin is issued without the presentation box.

See the rest of our Russian coin collection.

First Platinum Coins

The first platinum coins were issued in Imperial Russia in 1828, being 3 rouble pieces, followed by 5 roubles in 1829, 12 roubles in 1830. All these platinum issues continued until 1845, although the many of the 3 rouble dates are known to have been restruck later, presumably officially.

Twentieth Century

It was not until the 1970's that any more platinum coins were issued, to the best of our knowledge. The first was a medallic issue from Israel in 1973, followed by Panama in 1976. The Soviet Union resumed the issue of platinum coins from 1977 to 1980, with a number of 150 rouble coins containing about a half ounce of platinum. Post-Soviet Russia has issued platinum coins from 1992, in denominations of 25 roubles containing a tenth ounce of platinum, 50 and 150 roubles containing a half ounce.

Lesotho issued a platinum 250 Maloti coin containing a half ounce of platinum in 1981.
From 1983, an increasing number of countries have issued platinum bullion coins of various weights, see below.

The obverse shows the coat of arms of the Soviet Union. Lettering:

СССР
150
РУБЛЕЙ

Translation:

USSR
150
ROUBLES

The reverse depicts two wrestlers against the background of a ruined temple.

Lettering:

ИГРЫ XXII ОЛИМПИАДЫ · МОСКВА · 1980
ЛМД
1979

Translation:

GAMES OF THE XXII OLYMPIAD · MOSCOW · 1980
LMD
1979

The Leningrad mintmark 'ЛМД' is visible to the left of the wrestlers.