| In creating a memento of someone famous, or | | | | collectors. Coin collecting is something that anyone |
| an event or place is a common occurrence. Some | | | | can easily begin, and many get their start with |
| of these mementos will be more popular than | | | | commemorative coins. |
| others. While there are many methods of | | | | Before the 1960s, all commemorative coins were |
| commemorating these people and events, one of | | | | also legal tender. After the 1960s, many |
| the most popular and impressive is to be | | | | commemorative coins were not legal tender, but |
| commemorated on a coin. This is due to the fact | | | | items that were produced by the private sector |
| that a large amount of affection, artistry and | | | | specifically for the collectors' market. Let's face it, |
| attention to detail is required to make a | | | | collectors probably would not spend these coins |
| commemorative coin. This not only makes the | | | | anyway. Some of these have become very |
| subject appropriately honored, but makes these | | | | valuable as the years have gone by, and the |
| coins highly sought after by collectors. | | | | rarest can now cost many times what they |
| In the United States, commemorative coins are | | | | originally sold for. It is important to remember |
| still relatively new. It is true that a few of these | | | | that not all commemorative coins are "antiques." |
| special coins were issued before the 1960s, it | | | | Even so, with all the new and original |
| wasn't until later that commemorative coins were | | | | commemorative coins produced each year, all of |
| produced in large numbers. The very first | | | | them have the same potential to someday |
| commemorative coin that the United States | | | | become a valuable collectors item. |
| minted was a two and a half dollar coin in 1948 to | | | | If you have ever searched for commemorative |
| remember the California Gold Rush. Over the | | | | coins on eBay, you were probably amazed at the |
| next half century, many other commemorative | | | | sheer volume of these coins from all over the |
| coins were produced, with the number greatly | | | | world and from all time periods that were |
| increasing from the 1960s onward. This is because | | | | available. These coins were once very difficult to |
| these coins created a very positive response | | | | track down, and now they are so much easier to |
| from the public and their creation attracts more | | | | acquire thanks to the opportunities afforded online. |