SHOP NOW

Sign In or Create Account

Knowledge Center

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

Sesquicentennial of American Independence – 1926

The nation’s sesquicentennial was going to be celebrated in 1926 in the city that served as the first American capital – Philadelphia. The United States

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Opening – 1936

The bridge, once completed, would allow drivers to go from San Francisco and Oakland easily and quickly. But until the 1930s, building this bridge was

Roanoke Island (NC) – 350th Anniversary – 1937

In 1936, the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association was formed to determine if coin legislation would be enacted and to ensure that celebrations would be held

Providence (RI) Tercentenary – 1936

The Philadelphia Mint struck 20,000 of the authorized 50,000 coins and sent them to Providence in time for the celebrations. But the main promoter, coin

Pilgrim Tercentenary – 1920 – 1921

Massachusetts Congressman, Joseph Walsh, felt that a commemorative Half Dollar to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth was an

Panama-Pacific International Expo Silver & Gold Coins – 1915

This exposition was going to be the world’s largest international exposition since the World’s Columbian Expo in 1893. The country prepared for this 19 million

Oregon Trail Memorial – 1926 – 1939

By some estimates, over 20,000 men, women, and children did not survive the Oregon Trail. Ezra Meeker devoted the last 20 years of his life

Old Spanish Trail – 1935

L. W. Hoffecker designed the Old Spanish Trail Commemorative Half Dollar. He also lobbied it through Congress and distributed it. Hoffecker had previously labored to

Norfolk (VA) Bicentennial – 1936

Norfolk, Virginia residents felt that the bicentennial of becoming a Royal Borough in 1936 was an event worthy of commemoration. They asked one of their

New Rochelle – 250th Anniversary – 1938

In April of 1937, the Philadelphia Mint struck 25,015 New Rochelle Commemorative Half Dollar coins. An 15 pieces were reserved for assay. These coins were

Monroe Doctrine – 1923

In 1923, a commemorative Half Dollar was struck by the U.S. Mint to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, an American foreign policy

Missouri Centennial – 1921

Missouri became a state in 1821 as part of the Missouri Compromise. Legislation for a commemorative Centennial coin was passed and signed by President Harding

Maryland Tercentenary – 1934

The Maryland Tercentenary Commission sought to have a commemorative Half Dollar and a postage stamp issued to mark the 300th Anniversary of the arrival of

Maine Centennial – 1920

The District of Maine was separated from Massachusetts and on March 15, 1820, the State of Maine was admitted to the union. One hundred years

Lynchburg (VA) Sesquicentennial – 1936

The Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial Association was formed to determine the appearance of the coin, locate a designer and manage the sale of the coin.

Louisiana Purchase Expo $1.00 Gold Coins – 1903

The fledgling United States negotiated to pay $15 million dollars for the land. The treaty for the Louisiana Purchase was signed on April 30, 1803,

Long Island Tercentenary – 1936

The first deed for land on Long Island was conveyed to two Dutch colonists on June 16, 1636. Three hundred years later, a large celebration

Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial – 1925

As 1925 approached, so did the sesquicentennial of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Members of the Massachusetts delegation submitted legislation to provide a commemorative

Lewis & Clark Expo $1.00 Gold Coins – 1904 – 1905

The Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, Oregon was intended to celebrate the Centennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

Iowa Centennial – 1946

President Roosevelt had planned to oppose any new commemorative coinage, but Harry Truman was not opposed to a new commemorative bill so he approved the

Illinois Centennial (Lincoln) – 1918

This is considered one of the more beautiful Classic Commemorative coins and some of the finest work that Morgan had done after the creation of

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.