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The Yugoslavia 250 Dinara 1983 Proof silver coin (KM#101), featuring the Radimlja tombstones, is one of the most culturally significant pieces in the commemorative series issued for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games held in Sarajevo. Struck in .925 fine silver and finished in high-quality proof, this coin belongs to a special subset within Yugoslavia’s Olympic coin program that honored the heritage, architecture, and historic identity of the region. Unlike the sport-focused designs of other coins in the series, the Radimlja tombs coin celebrates the rich medieval history of the Balkans, making it a fascinating cross-section of numismatics, archaeology, and national symbolism.
The obverse of the coin bears the national emblem of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which includes six stylized torches bound into a single flame to represent the six republics that made up the federation. The torches are surrounded by a sheaf of wheat tied with a ribbon inscribed with the founding date of the republic, “29-XI-1943.” The country’s name is inscribed around the emblem in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts: “СФР ЈУГОСЛАВИЈА” and “SFR JUGOSLAVIJA.” In proof condition, this obverse displays deep mirrored fields and crisply frosted reliefs, offering strong visual contrast and pristine detail typical of high-quality minting.
The reverse of the coin presents a stylized depiction of the Radimlja necropolis, one of the most important stećak (medieval tombstone) sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The image shows a grouping of stećci—monolithic limestone tombs characterized by their unique shapes and engraved motifs. The design effectively conveys the solemnity and historical weight of the location, capturing the rugged forms of the tombstones rising against a mountainous backdrop. The Olympic rings are featured above the tombs, linking the ancient and modern heritages of the region. Encircling the upper part of the design is the inscription “XIV ZIMSKE OLIMPIJSKE IGRE – SARAJEVO 1984” (“14th Winter Olympic Games – Sarajevo 1984”), while below appear the denomination “250 DINARA” and the date “1983.”
These tombstones, known as stećci, date from the 12th to the 16th century and are renowned for their carvings, symbolic inscriptions, and varied forms. Located near Stolac in modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Radimlja necropolis contains more than 100 preserved tombstones, many of which are decorated with Christian iconography, medieval motifs, and unique symbolic patterns. By including the Radimlja tombs on a modern commemorative coin, the Yugoslav government highlighted the deep cultural roots of the region, linking the Olympic Games not only to contemporary sport but also to the timelessness of regional history and identity.
The coin is composed of sterling silver (.925 fineness) and weighs 30 grams, with a diameter of 40 millimeters. Its proof strike ensures that each design element is cleanly defined, with brilliant, mirror-like fields contrasting against matte or frosted raised portions. This finish makes the detailed textures of the tombstones and the flowing inscription particularly striking. The large size of the coin enhances the design’s legibility and gives it the physical presence expected of a high-grade collectible issue.
Minted at the official Yugoslav Mint in Belgrade, this coin was produced in limited numbers, with a mintage typically cited around 25,000 pieces. Each was distributed in a protective capsule, housed in an elegant clamshell presentation case—usually blue or burgundy—with an accompanying certificate of authenticity. These presentation pieces were marketed to both domestic and international collectors in the years leading up to the Sarajevo Olympics, and complete sets with packaging remain especially desirable in today’s market.
In Proof (PF) condition, the coin should exhibit no wear, and well-preserved examples retain their full luster, frosted relief, and sharply defined details. Examples submitted to third-party grading services like NGC or PCGS have often achieved PF69 or PF70 grades, thanks to the precision of the minting process and careful original handling. Coins still sealed in their mint capsules and housed in original packaging are especially valued, particularly when accompanied by their matching COAs and unmarred cases.
The 250 Dinara 1983 Radimlja tomb coin holds unique appeal among collectors for several reasons. Firstly, its subject matter is unusual within the scope of Olympic-themed coinage, which typically focuses on athletes, sports, or venues. Instead, this coin draws attention to ancient heritage and the continuity of human presence in the region. Secondly, it serves as a visual document of Yugoslavia’s diverse cultural past—especially important given the country’s eventual dissolution and the shifting identities of its successor states. This adds layers of historical interest and emotional resonance, especially for those with personal or academic ties to the region.
In the broader context of the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics commemorative coin program, the 1983 250 Dinara Radimlja coin complements other issues that honored sports like ice hockey and alpine skiing, as well as urban and architectural themes such as the Sarajevo cityscape. It fills a key role in the set by representing the region’s deep-rooted legacy and the balance Yugoslavia sought to strike between tradition and modernity. For collectors building a complete Olympic coin set or focusing on Balkan cultural heritage, this piece is essential and distinct in tone and subject.
The Yugoslavia 250 Dinara 1983 KM#101 Proof silver coin is both a numismatic and cultural artifact—a tangible link between medieval Balkan history and the international celebration of athletic excellence that the Sarajevo Games represented. With its compelling design, limited mintage, sterling silver composition, and high-quality proof finish, the coin remains a treasured addition to Olympic collections, European commemorative series, and any numismatic portfolio focused on regional or cultural history.