Commemorative Coins - What Every Collector Longs For

Commemorative Coins As Souvenirs

The popularity of commemorative coins has risen. Often they are given as gifts for special occasions and are kept for many years as souvenirs from a dear friend or loved one.

There is a great demand for commemorative coins among collectors as it signifies a mint date or an important event.

From the 1970’s there were individual commemorative coins in the market each year, but now they come in packages as sets. This type of marketing is largely because of the introduction of the euro and the depreciation of the coins which started in 1971.

Some countries have used commemorative coins for propaganda and Royalty has issued coins to mark special events or occasions.

The Different Commemorative Coins Produced

In 1892 the Columbian Exposition was remembered by the production of the half dollar. This was to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World.

The next year the quarter dollar came into existence – this honored the Spanish Queen Isabella who championed Women’s Rights.

In the 1900’s the early coins in silver were introduced – these coins were in honor of George Washington and Lafayette – the next year the half dollar came out and there were legal tender coins to celebrate historical events from 1892-1954.

The Washington Quarter dollar came out in 1932 – this was in honor of George Washington’s 200th birth anniversary and is an extremely well known commemorative coin and enjoys a wide circulation.

Commemorative coins from 1892-1954 were not circulated as the United States had not legalized it for the public so collectors do not pay high costs for these coins.

The Bicentennial quarter came into existence in 1975. This commemorative coin was the second one to be circulated and the half and silver dollars (1776-1976) were issued again and these were considered a special edition for collectors.

Each collector has his own individual taste in coins. Most of the collectors prefer the modern coins, but there are those who like the coins from 1892-1954. The modern coins have different monetary values according to the series.

There have been many series that have come out and there was a suggestion to Congress to release the Lincoln cent to commemorate his birth anniversary. But it is not known whether a commemorative coin of 1 cent will ever be released.

There seems to be a strange pattern in the circulation of commemorative coins. The silver and half dollar coins from 1776-1976 are not really popular with collectors because they are scarce. The coins that are most in circulation are the quarter dollars. It would be indeed something of a speculation if the proposal to circulate the commemorative coin of one cent denomination will eventually come into being.


What Are Commemorative Coins - Commemorative Coins Hold A Meaning