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Commemorative Values

Commemorative coins are a time-honored tradition dating back to ancient Greece, and they have been struck intermittently since the late 19th century. They are responsible for a number of firsts in U.S. coinage, including the first coin to have a U.S. president portrait and more.

Coin Type – Women’s Suffrage Centennial – 2020

The 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. At the time, this extended voting rights to more than 27 million women.

Coin Type – West Point Bicentennial – 2002

The U.S. Military Academy, in West Point, NY, was authorized by President Thomas Jefferson on March 16, 1802.

Coin Type – U.S. Army – 2011

Congress authorized three commemorative coins to honor the founding of the U.S. Army and celebrate its rich traditions and history.

All Commemorative Values Resources

Coin Type – Civil Rights Act of 1964 – 2014

While there was much discussion as to whether a coin depicting a protest would accurately depict the effort to ensure civil rights for all Americans,

Coin Type – Christa McAuliffe – 2021

McAuliffe was the first teacher to be selected as an astronaut in NASA’s “Teacher in Space” program. That was replaced with a NASA program to

Coin Type – Chief Justice John Marshall – 2005

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall was honored on the 250th anniversary of his birth by Congress. His most notable achievement was establishing

Coin Type – Breast Cancer Awareness – 2018

This coin set increases the awareness of the millions of Americans who have been impacted by the disease. The surcharge on all three of these

Coin Type – Boys Town Centennial – 2017

In 1917, Father Flannagan’s Boys Home was established for orphans. This home offered assistance to boys of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Boys Town supports

Coin Type – Boy Scouts of America Centennial – 2010

The obverse depicts three figures – a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout, and a woman representing the Venturer Program – with all of them at

Coin Type – Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary – 2006

Franklin is the only Founding Father who signed all four of our most important documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France,

Coin Type – Basketball Hall of Fame – 2020

Like three prior sets, the Clad Half Dollar, Silver Dollar, and Five Dollar Gold coins all shared the same design, except for the size, metallic

Coin Type – Bald Eagle Recovery & National Emblem – 2008

In 2008, coins were commissioned to celebrate the recovery of the Bald Eagle. Learn the value, history, and designs of these beautiful coins.

Coin Type – Apollo 11 50th Anniversary – 2019

One of the most important events in history was the Moon landing in 1969. Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to strike a Clad Half Dollar,

Coin Type – American Veterans Disabled for Life – 2010

One of the two commemorative issues in 2010 was a Silver Dollar to honor the great personal sacrifices made by our veterans who were permanently

Coin Type – American Legion – 100th Anniversary – 2019

Unlike many other recent 3-coin commemorative programs, each of the three American Legion coins featured a different design.

Coin Type – Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial – 2009

Congress wanted to honor our 16th President and the man who led us through our bloody Civil War.

Coin Type – 5 Star Generals – 2013

The clad half dollar coin would feature two WWII heroes – General Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold and General Omar Bradley. Arnold served as a General in

Boy Scouts of America Centennial – 2010

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its Centennial Anniversary in 2010. To honor the longevity of this organization, Congress authorized a Commemorative Silver Dollar to

York County (ME) Tercentenary – 1936

The Tercentenary of the Founding of York County, Maine was coming up in 1936, and members of Congress lobbied for a Commemorative Half Dollar, which

World’s Columbian Exposition Half Dollars 1892 – 1893

One of the most popular souvenirs of the World’s Fair was the 1892 and 1893 Columbian Commemorative Half Dollar coins that were sold in the

Wisconsin Territorial Centennial – 1936

The legislation for a coin celebrating Wisconsin's Centennial Year was bundled together with two other proposals and Congress approved all three and they were signed

Vermont Sesquicentennial – 1927

In 1925, US Senator from Vermont Frank Greene introduced legislation honoring the Sesquicentennial of the State of Vermont and of the Battle of Bennington. The

Texas Centennial – 1934 – 1938

In 1933, Texas State officials began making plans for the Texas Centennial in 1936. Celebrations were planned in Dallas and across the Lone Star State.

Stone Mountain Memorial – 1925

At the turn of the 20th Century, there was strong interest in commemorating the Confederate soldiers and proposals were made to carve a sculpture honoring

Coin Type – Thomas Alva Edison – 2004

Thomas Edison’s lightbulb impacted the world by lighting up the night. For the 125th Anniversary of his invention, Congress honored him with a Commemorative Silver Dollar.

Coin Type – Star Spangled Banner – 2012

The United States Congress celebrated the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore by authorizing a commemorative Silver Dollar and a commemorative $5.00 Gold coin. The subject of those coins was the 200th anniversary of our National Anthem – the Star Spangled Banner.

Coin Type – San Francisco Old Mint Centennial – 2006

The Centennial of the Old San Francisco Mint’s survival occurred in 2006. In 1906, not only did the US Mint building in San Francisco, survive a massive earthquake, it also survived the tremendous fires that ravaged the city.

Coin Type – Salt Lake City Winter Olympics – 2002

Donna Weaver designed the reverse of this silver dollar, and it displayed the skyline of Salt Lake City with the Rocky Mountains dominating the design. The “rhythm of the land” design is above the mountains with “XIX WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES” beneath it.

Coin Type – Negro Leagues Baseball – 2022

In early Major League Baseball, African American players were not allowed in the major leagues. The owners of these teams formed the Negro National League in order to play against other teams of Black and Hispanic players across the country.

Coin Type – National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum – 2021

Congress authorized Public Law 116-94 to honor American law enforcement officers. Given their service and sacrifices, they authorized a 3-coin set – a Clad Half Dollar, a Silver Dollar, and a Five Dollar Gold coin.

Coin Type – National Purple Heart Hall of Honor – 2022

The Purple Hear has been awarded to the nearly 2 million service members killed or wounded since 1917, during World War I. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative coins were authorized and approved by the Congress of the United States.

Coin Type – National Park Service 100th Anniversary – 2016

The 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service was celebrated in 2016. Congress authorized a 3-coin set of commemorative coins to be issued for the occasion.

Coin Type – National Baseball Hall of Fame – 2014

In 2014, the National Baseball Hall of Fame celebrated its 75th Anniversary as Congress authorized the striking of a 3-coin set – a Clad Half Dollar, a Silver Dollar, and a Five Dollar Gold coin.

Coin Type – Medal of Honor – 2011

First awarded in 1863 during the Civil War, the Medal of Honor currently has 3,525 recipients and 618 medals have been awarded posthumously.

Coin Type – Marine Corps 230th Anniversary – 2005

The surcharges added to the cost of each coin were used towards the construction of the Heritage Center of the United States Marine Corps, which is in Quantico, Virginia.

Coin Type – March of Dimes 75th Anniversary 2015

The March of Dimes was founded to eradicate polio. As the vaccine brought the disease under control, the foundation’s mission shifted to improve the health of expectant mothers and their babies.

Coin Type – Louis Braille Bicentennial – 2009

For the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth, Congress authorized a commemorative Silver Dollar coin to be struck. The obverse depicts a bust of Braille facing the viewer.

Coin Type – Little Rock Central High School Desegregation – 2007

The coin depicts the legs and feet of the “Little Rock Nine’” accompanied by the legs and feet of a soldier in military garb. The Brown ruling allowed desegregation and the military was called in to keep the peace.

Coin Type – Lions Club International – 2017

The Lions Club is one of the world’s largest service organizations with operations in more than 200 countries and well over 1 million members.

Coin Type – Lewis & Clark Bicentennial – 2004

To commemorate the expedition of Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark, whose expedition led to the opening of the West and the Pacific Ocean, Congress authorized a Silver Dollar in 2004.

Coin Type – Jamestown 400th Anniversary – 2007

Three ships left England in 1606 with 105 adventurers to begin the first permanent English settlement in the New World. They arrived in Jamestown in May of 1607.

Coin Type – Infantry Soldier – 2012

The designs were announced prior to a football match and a prototype of the coin was used for the coin toss at the game. The prototypes were destroyed after the game.

Coin Type – Girl Scouts of America – 2013

In 1913, the Girl Scouts of America were established to foster the growth and experiences of girls and young women in America. One hundred years later Congress honored the Girl Scouts with a commemorative silver dollar coin.

Coin Type – First Spouse $10 Gold Coins – 2007 to Present

While Presidents are honored on a clad $1 coin, First Spouses were honored on a one-half ounce of .9999 fine gold. These one-half troy ounce gold coins bear a $10 face value.

Coin Type – First Flight Centennial – 2003

Only three commemorative coins were authorized in 2003, and all of them commemorated the centennial of the First Flight by the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.