| Description: |
As bright and fresh as the day it was coined, this lovely piece sports sharp field to device contrast, a full strike and smooth, virtually pristine surfaces.
A major Mint error such as this is highly unusual on a coin of this type, for not only does the modern U.S. Mint pride itself on quality control, but Proof commemorative coins from both the classic and modern periods are usually produced with extra care being that they are intended expressly for sale to collectors. The error is best appreciated by looking at the runners' legs on the obverse as well as the eagle's head on the reverse, all of which features exhibit areas of intermingled brilliance from what was supposed to be the surrounding field area on the first strike. Proof coins are normally struck more than once to bring up full definition to even the most trivial elements of the design, but this piece rotated slightly within the collar in between strikes, thereby explaining the unusual appearance to the aforementioned devices. A highly significant coin for the specialist, and undoubtedly very rare (if not unique) for an error of this type on a 1984-W Los Angeles Olympiad gold commemorative.
PCGS# 9617.
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