Achieving victory at the Olympics represents the ultimate in sporting achievement. The Olympics are a celebration of sporting talent, strength and ability.
Issue information
In July 1996, the centennial Olympic games were held in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. Five sports in which New Zealand was represented were featured on the stamp issue. Each of the five stamps, designed by Stephen Fuller, had a border in the colour of one of the five rings which make up the universally known Olympic logo.
The round Atlanta Olympics 1996 stamps were the first stamps to be produced by Southern Colour Print on New Zealand Post's round perforating comb previously operated by Leigh Mardon Pty Ltd of Australia. The round comb was originally designed for the popular Round $1 Kiwi stamps.
The stamps were also produced in a se-tenant block of five stamps for the first day cover and for sale in Sales Centres and Post Shops in hangsell packaging.
Limited Edition
A sheetlet was produced for inclusion in the Atlanta Olympics 1996 limited edition collectors pack. It incorporated both a perforated and imperforate set of stamps. Each sheet was individually numbered from one through to 2,000.
Product Listing for Atlanta Olympics 1996
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 40c 'Swimming' gummed stamp. New Zealand had won swimming medals at the previous last two Olympic Games. A strong team of 14 swimmers included the accomplished butterfly and freestyle exponent Danyon Loader, Anna Simcic in backstroke and the individual medlet, and Trent Bray in freestyle. |
$0.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 80c 'Cycling' gummed stamp. In all, 19 New Zealand cyclists made the trip to Atlanta, competing on the track, on the road and in mountain biking. Among the team were Barcelona Olympic bronze metallist Gary Anderson and the young, talentend Sarah Ulmer who had been winning gold at recent World Cup Track Cycling events around the globe. |
$0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.00 'Athletics' gummed stamp. Some of New Zealand's most memorable Olympic moments have come via the exploits of athletes such as Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and John Walker. In 1996 Lorraine Moller (who won bronze in the marathon at Barcelona in 1992) and 16 other track and field athletes wore the distinctive black singlet at Atlanta. New Zealand was represented in the discus, javelin, long jump, and a range of track events from the 100 metres to the marathon. |
$1.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.50 'Rowing' gummed stamp. Rowing has developed into one of New Zealand's most successful Olympic sports. Since 1968, when the men's eight won gold in Mexico, New Zealanders have been among the rowing medals at nearly every Olympic Games. At Atlanta, the strong duo of Philippa Baker and Brenda Lawson competed in the women's double sculls, with seven other New Zealand rowers competing in the men's coxless four, pair, and the men's single scull. |
$1.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.80 'Yachting' gummed stamp. The list of competitors representing New Zealand in yachtling at the Atlanta Games inspired confidence. Craig Monk and Rod Davis were already household names through their America's Cup involvement, while Barbara Kendall and Aaron McIntosh recognised as being among the best boardsailers in the world. These four competitors, along with seven other Kiwis were aiming to improve on the four-medal haul New Zealand yachting enjoyed at Barcelona. |
$1.80 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with five gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $5.75 |
 |
Set of Maximum Cards | Set of five pre-paid postcards featuring a stamp on the front and artwork from the stamp issue. | $7.50 |
 |
Limited Edition | Limited edition collectable containing exclusive stamp products not available anywhere else. | $135.00 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 10 July 1996 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Five |
| Denominations and designs: | $0.40 swimming; $0.80 cycling; $1.00 athletics; $1.50 rowing; $1.80 yachting |
| Stamps and first day cover designerd by: | Stephen Fuller, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by lithography |
| Stamp size and format: | 33mm diameter, round |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 36 stamps per sheet |
| Perforation gauge: | 14.5 |
| Paper type: | Harrison and Sons, red phosphor coated, unwatermarked |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 10 July 1997. |
