Commemorative Coins
Commemorative coins celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. These coins help raise money for important causes as well as commemorate important aspects of American history. Authorized by Congress, each coin. Individual commemorative coins and commemorative coin sets make for a great collection. With so many different styles and icons to choose from at HSN, you’re sure to find the perfect coins to add to your collection or the collection of a loved one. Related products. 1965-1969 P&D Secret Silver Kennedys 13-Coin. Commemorative coins are just some of the products offered by The Royal Mint. INSPIRING NEW COLLECTORS In recent years, demand for commemorative and collectable coins has grown thanks in part to our partnerships with popular and respected organisations. US Commemorative Coins. Government issues commemorative coins to honor a person, event, or place. Collectors separate the 144 coins issued before 1954 from those issued after 1982 as there were no commemorative coins issued in the intervening years. If you are thinking of starting a commemorative coin collection, then you have many. Find the current Modern Commemorative Sets values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade.
Congress authorizes commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although these coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. Each commemorative coin is produced by the United States Mint in limited quantity and is only available for a limited time.
As well as commemorating important aspects of American history and culture, these coins help raise money for important causes. Part of the price of these coins is a surcharge that goes to organizations and projects that benefit the community. For example, surcharges on the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center commemorative coins helped build a new visitor center under the U.S. Capitol’s East Plaza.
Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised more than $506,301,189 in surcharges to help build new museums, maintain national monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, preserve historical sites like George Washington’s home, support various Olympic programs, and much more.
Watch the videos in this playlist to learn more about our commemorative coin programs.
Commemorative Coin Programs
2021 Commemorative Coins
2020 Commemorative Coins
2019 Commemorative Coins
2018 Commemorative Coins
2017 Commemorative Coins
2016 Commemorative Coins
2015 Commemorative Coins
2014 Commemorative Coins
2013 Commemorative Coins
2012 Commemorative Coins
2011 Commemorative Coins
2010 Commemorative Coins
2009 Commemorative Coins
2008 Commemorative Coins
2007 Commemorative Coins
2006 Commemorative Coins
2005 Commemorative Coins
2004 Commemorative Coins
2003 Commemorative Coins
2002 Commemorative Coins
2001 Commemorative Coins
2000 Commemorative Coins
1999 Commemorative Coins
1998 Commemorative Coins
Commemorative Coin Value Guide
1997 Commemorative Coins
1996 Commemorative Coins
1995 Commemorative Coins
1994 Commemorative Coins
Commemorative Coins George Washington
1993 Commemorative Coins
1992 Commemorative Coins
Commemorative Us Quarters
1991 Commemorative Coins
1990 Commemorative Coins
1989
1988 Commemorative Coins
1987 Commemorative Coins
1986 Commemorative Coins
1984
1983
Are Commemorative Coins Worth Anything
1982 Commemorative Coins
Compliance Procedures for Surcharge Eligibility and Payments
Commemorative coin programs are created by enabling legislation enacted by Congress to honor a person, place or event. The enabling legislation dictates the coin specifications, mintages, cost considerations, and surcharge amount to be collected. A surcharge is a set amount per coin that the Mint collects and distributes to the designated recipient organization which must use the proceeds for the purpose(s) specified in the enabling legislation. Historically, the Mint has been required to pay surcharges to recipients whether or not all the Mint’s program costs were recovered and without any accountability requirements for the recipient organization. In 1996, Congress enacted legislation changing the Mint’s requirement to pay surcharges.
The United States Modern Commemorative Coin program began in 1982. That year, the US Mint released commemorative half dollar coins to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Since that date, commemorative coins have been issued nearly every year to celebrate famous American people, places, events, and institutions. The wide range of subject matters and the diversity of designs make commemorative coins popular with collectors.
Each commemorative coin program is authorized under an Act of Congress. The Act typically specifies the subject to be commemorated, the denomination of coins to be issued, and the maximum authorized mintage for each. Additionally, most commemorative coin programs include surcharges added to the cost of each coin, which will be distributed to specified beneficiary organizations or fund projects that benefit the community.
Commemorative Coins For Sale
Modern Commemoratives have been issued in five different sizes over the years. The United States Mint has issued gold coins with denominations of $5 or $10. The specifications of these coins match the classic circulating gold half eagle and eagle coins, with a composition of 90% gold and a net weight of .2418 ounces and .4837 ounces of gold, respectively. Silver coins have been issued matching the specifications of classic circulating half dollars and silver dollars. Finally, half dollars have been issued with a copper-nickel clad composition matching the modern specifications.
Commemorative Coins Us
Although commemorative coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. The United States Mint sells the commemorative coins to the public at fixed prices, which cover the costs of designing, minting, marketing and distributing the coins, as well as include the surcharges allocated to the beneficiary organizations or programs. The coins are generally offered at a pre-issue discount price for the first month of sales, and then regular prices for the remaining sales period. Most commemoratives are typically only available during the calendar year or issue.
Over the course of the Modern Commemorative Coin program, the popularity of coins has fluctuated with the subject matter, trends in collecting, and precious metals prices. Many of the commemorative coins issued in the 1980’s achieved high sales levels due to the pent up demand for such collectibles. In subsequent years, popular subject matter drove higher sales for issues such as the 2001 American Buffalo Silver Dollar and 2005 Marine Corps Silver Dollars. In more recent years, the US Mint has utilized specialized minting techniques or special sets to drive demand. The recently issued 2015 Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins featured an innovative domed shape.
This site provides collectors with a look at each of the modern commemorative coins issued by the United States Mint from 1982 to present. Background information and design descriptions are available for each coin, along with original release information, specifications, and final mintage figures. We hope this site can serve as a valuable resource as you assemble your collection.