Commemorative Coins, What are They?

Commemorative coins have become verycelebrations rather than historical events. These
popular. Many people want to have different kindscoins are recognized today as classical sets of
of coins in their collections or for souvenirs. Manyspecial coins of historical events between the
times they are used as traditional gifts for specialyears1892 - 1954.
occasions. These coins are not considered to beIt was in 1932 that the Washington quarter dollar
practical gifts, bur are commemorative items thatwas released as the United States' second
can be kept for years as special souvenirs whencommemorative coin in its denomination. It was
received by a special friend or loved one.issued for the 200th birth anniversary of George
There is a strong demand for these coins amongWashington. The coin also continues its circulation
people who are collectors as they may haveas a commemorative coin because of its
significant meaning to them. Others will want thempopularity.
to remember an important day or occasion. TheIt was uncharacteristic to circulate a
mint date and the event celebrated by the coincommemorative coin of the 1892 - 1954 era in
could be one factor people consider themthe United States because the government had
collectible items.not intentionally put them into circulation, (they
Since the 1970s, the individual coins were availablewere not legally approved by the government for
in the market every year, but are now availablepublic use) so collectors will not pay the premium
as sets in packages or in special displays. Manycosts of these coins that are still in the market.
collectors say that one reason they are marketedIn 1975, that the Bicentennial quarter was
this way was the depreciation of their valueintroduced. It became the second circulating
starting in 1971. The introduction of the euro maycommemorative coin in the country, while the
also be a factor.silver dollars and half dollars (1776 - 1976) were
There are countries that have producereissued as a special collector's edition.
commemorative coins and used these coins forMany collectors have different agendas when
propaganda. There were monarchs who issuedcollecting these coins. Some prefer
coins to commemorate past or current eventscommemorative coins from 1892 - 1954 while
and/or celebrations that recognized their authority.most collectors choose the modern editions. They
The half dollar was produced in 1892 toknow that these coins have different values
commemorate the Columbian Exposition independing on the series and/or editions.
Chicago. This was a celebration to mark theAlthough there have been different series
400th anniversary of the expedition ofreleased, a proposal was submitted to congress
Christopher Columbus and his discoveries in thethat would mark the Lincoln cent for his birth
world.anniversary. No one knows whether or not the
During the following year, the first quarter dollar1-cent denomination commemorative coin will be
commemorative was introduced to signify theminted.
Exposition as well, but it also gave honor to queenThe confusing part of these commemoratives
Isabella of Spain. She was the one whothat are circulating is the pattern of the
"back-pedaled" the political agendas on Womendenomination. The 1776-1976 commemoratives
Rights.half-dollar and silver dollar may not be included in
The first commemorative coins that were madecollections because of their scarcity. Most of the
of silver were introduced in the 1900s. The coinscoins that are circulating are the quarter dollar
were minted in honor of Lafayette and Georgecoins. It should be an interesting development for
Washington. In the following years, the half dollarthe proposed circulation of the one cent
coin was denominated, and the legal tendercommemorative coin.
commemorative coins were created to mark