Here is some background on the "Precious Metal Stamp Sculptures" program.
Quote:Olympic Stamp Sculptures
The tradition of creating works of art to honor and commemorate the Games is as old as the Games themselves. Canada in its own way maintained that tradition, for never before had any postal administration authorized the reproduction of an Olympic postage stamp in precious metal.
The Olympic stamp sculptures represented the creative collaboration of some of Canada's leading artists and craftsmen. In all, five exquisite series were minted: the first four reproduced series I through IV of the Olympic action stamps, and the fifth and final series commemorated the official ceremonies. It depicted the opening ceremony, the Olympic Flame and the medal ceremony.
To protect their rarity as collectors' items, the stamp sculptures were available to subscribers for a limited time only. They could be purchased individually in gold, silver, or bronze; in sets of three stamps of each metal; or in a combination set of one stamp of each metal.
The sizes and weights of the stamp sculptures were as follows:
1st issue — dimensions: 24 x 40 x 1.5 mm; 24 kt gold, 2.25 Troy oz; .999 fine silver, 1.5 Troy oz; bronze, 1.5 Troy oz.
2nd issue — dimensions: 30 x 36 x 1.5 mm; gold, 2.25 Troy oz; silver and bronze, 1.5 Troy oz each.
3rd, 4th and 5th issues — dimensions: 30 x 36 x 1.5 mm. Each gold stamp contained 23.33 grams in 24 kt. Silver stamps and bronze stamps
weighed 15.55 grams.
The Olympic stamp sculptures were extremely well received by the public and much acclaimed by collectors. But on December 31, 1976, despite continuing orders,
Canada Post was obliged by law to withdraw them from sale.
Source:
http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/...1976v1p1.pdf 
Posted 05/16/2012 9:50 pm
