Centennial Games Atlanta 1996
South Africa · 1996-07-05
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover was postmarked on 5 July 1996 and catalogued as SAPO 6.38. It carried a full set of stamps marking the same 1996 Centennial Olympic Games as its companion piece. Atlanta 1996 drew a record 197 nations making it the largest number of countries to compete in an Olympics up to that point. That reflected just how significant a moment it was for global sport and for South Africa's renewed place within it.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows two athletes with arms raised high in victory, built from the same bold, angular shapes and warm brown, green, blue and gold tones used across the stamp set. They stand against a large green backdrop patterned with the Olympic rings in white outline. The words "Centennial Games Atlanta 1996" sit above in a clean serif font, and the same abstract runner figure from the postmark reappears once more in full colour down in the corner.
Information Card
No info card.
Theme: Sport
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
SG reference: 919-923
SAPO serial number: 6.38
Estimated value: ~US$2.17
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 209 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
