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. 

The 2020 Women’s Suffrage Centennial Silver Dollar honors the 70-year fight that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment, with powerful imagery celebrating generations of women who pushed for the vote.
The U.S. Military Academy, in West Point, NY, was authorized by President Thomas Jefferson on March 16, 1802.
Read how Congress honored the U.S. Army’s founding with a special 2011 three-coin commemorative set through the United States Army Commemorative Coin Program.

All Commemorative Values Resources

Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Half Dollar

This 1924 commemorative half dollar was made to honor the 300th anniversary of the Huguenots and Walloons arriving in New Netherland. Read to learn why

Hudson, New York Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The Hudson, New York Sesquicentennial Half Dollar was authorized to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary. Read more to learn about how a distribution fiasco shaped

1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

Congress authorized the 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar at the Territory’s request to mark 150 years since Captain Cook’s landing, with sales meant to fund

1922 Grant Memorial Commemorative Coins

Congress approved special Grant Memorial coins in 1922 to help restore and preserve Ulysses S. Grant’s Ohio birthplace, pairing silver half dollars and gold dollars

1936 Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar

Congress approved the 1936 Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar to honor the battle that marked a turning point for the Union. Read more to learn

Fort Vancouver Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar

Learn how Congress created a three-coin commemorative program in 2013 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of Fort Vancouver.

1936 Elgin Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar

Learn how Elgin’s 1936 Elgin Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar was authorized to help fund the city’s centennial celebration and to raise money for a pioneer

Delaware Tercentenary – 1938

The Delaware Tercentenary half dollar was created to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Swedes’ 1638 arrival in Delaware, with celebrations planned in both Wilmington

Connecticut Tercentenary Half Dollar Coins – 1935

Connecticut’s Tercentenary half dollar was authorized in 1935 to mark 300 years since the colony’s founding and to support statewide celebrations, with Henry Kreis chosen

Columbia (SC) Sesquicentennial – 1936

Learn about the 1936 Columbia, South Carolina commemorative half dollar was authorized for the city’s 150th anniversary.

Cleveland Centennial – Great Lakes Expo – 1936

The 1936 Cleveland Centennial/Great Lakes Expo half dollar was made to celebrate Cleveland’s founding and to support the city’s Great Lakes Exposition that year.

Cincinnati Music Center – 1936

This coin was authorized to help fund Cincinnati’s planned 1936 celebrations marking the city’s claimed 50 years of musical importance and the 50th anniversary of

California Pacific Int’l Expo – 1935 – 1936

The 1935–36 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego issued a commemorative half dollar to help support the World’s Fair. Learn about the lack of

California Diamond Jubilee – 1925

The 1925 California Diamond Jubilee half dollar was authorized to support the state’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Learn more about these collectibles from the San Francisco

Bridgeport (CT) Centennial – 1936

This half dollar was authorized to support the city’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, with surcharges benefiting the events. Struck only at the Philadelphia Mint, these coins remain

Boone Bicentennial – 1934 – 1938

Learn how the Daniel Boone Bicentennial half dollars, first issued in 1934 to mark the 200th anniversary of Boone’s birth, evolved over several years into

Booker T Washington Memorial – 1946 -1951

Issued from 1946 to 1951, the Booker T. Washington commemorative half dollar honors Washington’s legacy and supports the preservation of his "slave cabin" where he

George W. Carver-Booker T. Washington Commemorative Silver Half Dollar

Learn how Congress approved the George W. Carver-Booker T. Washington Commemorative Silver Half Dollar in 1951 as a follow-up tribute honoring two African American agricultural

Battle of Antietam (MD) – 75th Anniversary – 1937

Learn about the half dollar that honored the Civil War’s bloodiest single day and the dwindling band of surviving veterans who gathered for its 75th

Arkansas Centennial – Robinson – 1936

A special second Arkansas Centennial half dollar was approved in 1936 to honor Senator Joseph T. Robinson while he was still alive. Read more to

Arkansas Centennial Half Dollar Coins | 1935 – 1939

Learn how these half dollars, created for the centennial of Arkansas’s admission to the Union, were produced over several years and at multiple U.S. Mint
Learn how Congress marked the 125th anniversary of Thomas Edison’s lightbulb in 2004 with a commemorative silver dollar honoring his invention and its impact.
Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins were made to remember the War of 1812 and to mark the 200th anniversary of America’s national anthem. Learn more about the bold flag-focused designs and how the coin incorporated a famous American poem in a special release.
Learn about the 2006 Old San Francisco Mint Centennial coins and how they honor the mint that survived the 1906 earthquake and fires.
Learn about the two commemorative coins honoring the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics: a silver dollar and a $5 gold coin, both featuring bold Olympic-themed designs.
Congress honored the centennial legacy of the Negro Leagues in 2022 with a three-coin commemorative set recognizing the players, teams, and pioneers who kept baseball thriving when the majors were segregated. Learn more about how this set celebrates figures like Rube Foster, highlights the hard realities Negro Leaguers faced on the road, and ensures their lasting impact on America’s pastime is remembered.
Congress approved the 2021 National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum three-coin program to honor officers’ service and sacrifice while raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Learn more about how a clad half dollar, a silver dollar, and a $5 gold coin worked together to create one tribute.
Learn how the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Program was created to honor the nearly two million Americans wounded or killed in action since 1917 and to support the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York.
Congress marked the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2016 with a three-coin commemorative program celebrating a century of protecting America’s parks, lands, and monuments. Learn more about how a clad half dollar, a silver dollar, and a $5 gold coin honored the NPS mission and gave collectors a lasting way to salute our national treasures.
National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins were created to salute Cooperstown’s 75th anniversary and to showcase a bold first for the U.S. Mint: concaved coins. Learn more about the coin design competition and what made this set an instant modern classic for collectors.
The 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program marked the award’s 150th anniversary and to spotlight the extraordinary valor of its recipients while supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Read more to learn about how the silver dollar and companion $5 gold coin was designed, minted, and tied to the legacy of America’s highest military decoration.
Learn how this coin was authorized for the Marine Corps’ 230th anniversary and how it helped fund the National Museum of the Marine Corps and its Heritage Center in Quantico.
The 2015 March of Dimes Silver Dollar was issued to honor the foundation’s 75th anniversary and The March of Dimes Foundation legacy, from fighting polio during FDR’s presidency to supporting healthier mothers and babies today. Read more to learn about the special Roosevelt dime tie-ins and the inspiration of the coin design.
Congress authorized the 2009 Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar to mark the bicentennial of Braille’s birth. Learn how his reading system transformed education and independence for blind and visually impaired people.
Congress authorized the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Commemorative Silver Dollar to mark the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine’s courageous integration of their school in 1957. Read more to learn about this victory for civil rights and public education in America and the inspiration for the coin’s design.
The 2017 Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar was authorized to celebrate the Lions Cub’s 100th anniversary and to recognize a century of worldwide volunteer service. Read more to learn about how the coin supported the Lions’ ongoing mission across the globe.
In 2004, Congress issued a Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar to honor the 200th anniversary of their expedition that opened the American West. Read more to learn about how this coin celebrated the explorers’ impact on U.S. history.
Congress authorized the 2007 Jamestown commemorative coins to mark 400 years since the first English settlement at Jamestown, a turning point that shaped America’s early society and ambitions. Read more to learn about how this anniversary was celebrated and why Jamestown’s legacy still matters today.
This 2012 commemorative silver dollar honored U.S. Army infantrymen and helped raise funds for the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Read more to learn about the symbolism behind the issue and how collectors responded to it. 
To mark the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary, Congress issued a 2013 commemorative silver dollar. Read more to learn about why this well-intentioned tribute didn’t sell as well as the U.S. Mint hoped.
Learn about the First Spouse series and how these coins were created alongside the Presidential $1 coins to honor U.S. First Ladies (or Liberty stand-ins for unmarried presidents) in the order they served.
In 2003, Congress honored the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight at Kitty Hawk. Read more to learn about the inspiration for the design of this coin and its success with collectors.
This 1924 commemorative half dollar was made to honor the 300th anniversary of the Huguenots and Walloons arriving in New Netherland. Read to learn why
The Hudson, New York Sesquicentennial Half Dollar was authorized to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary. Read more to learn about how a distribution fiasco shaped
Congress authorized the 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar at the Territory’s request to mark 150 years since Captain Cook’s landing, with sales meant to fund
Congress approved special Grant Memorial coins in 1922 to help restore and preserve Ulysses S. Grant’s Ohio birthplace, pairing silver half dollars and gold dollars
Congress approved the 1936 Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar to honor the battle that marked a turning point for the Union. Read more to learn
Learn how Congress created a three-coin commemorative program in 2013 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of Fort Vancouver.
Learn how Elgin’s 1936 Elgin Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar was authorized to help fund the city’s centennial celebration and to raise money for a pioneer
The Delaware Tercentenary half dollar was created to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Swedes’ 1638 arrival in Delaware, with celebrations planned in both Wilmington
Connecticut’s Tercentenary half dollar was authorized in 1935 to mark 300 years since the colony’s founding and to support statewide celebrations, with Henry Kreis chosen
Learn about the 1936 Columbia, South Carolina commemorative half dollar was authorized for the city’s 150th anniversary.
The 1936 Cleveland Centennial/Great Lakes Expo half dollar was made to celebrate Cleveland’s founding and to support the city’s Great Lakes Exposition that year.
This coin was authorized to help fund Cincinnati’s planned 1936 celebrations marking the city’s claimed 50 years of musical importance and the 50th anniversary of
The 1935–36 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego issued a commemorative half dollar to help support the World’s Fair. Learn about the lack of
The 1925 California Diamond Jubilee half dollar was authorized to support the state’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Learn more about these collectibles from the San Francisco
This half dollar was authorized to support the city’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, with surcharges benefiting the events. Struck only at the Philadelphia Mint, these coins remain
Learn how the Daniel Boone Bicentennial half dollars, first issued in 1934 to mark the 200th anniversary of Boone’s birth, evolved over several years into
Issued from 1946 to 1951, the Booker T. Washington commemorative half dollar honors Washington’s legacy and supports the preservation of his “slave cabin” where he
Learn how Congress approved the George W. Carver-Booker T. Washington Commemorative Silver Half Dollar in 1951 as a follow-up tribute honoring two African American agricultural
Learn about the half dollar that honored the Civil War’s bloodiest single day and the dwindling band of surviving veterans who gathered for its 75th
A special second Arkansas Centennial half dollar was approved in 1936 to honor Senator Joseph T. Robinson while he was still alive. Read more to
Learn how these half dollars, created for the centennial of Arkansas’s admission to the Union, were produced over several years and at multiple U.S. Mint

Coin Type – Thomas Alva Edison – 2004

Learn how Congress marked the 125th anniversary of Thomas Edison’s lightbulb in 2004 with a commemorative silver dollar honoring his invention and its impact.

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins were made to remember the War of 1812 and to mark the 200th anniversary of America’s national anthem. Learn more about the bold flag-focused designs and how the coin incorporated a famous American poem in a special release.

Coin Type – San Francisco Old Mint Centennial – 2006

Learn about the 2006 Old San Francisco Mint Centennial coins and how they honor the mint that survived the 1906 earthquake and fires.

Coin Type – Salt Lake City Winter Olympics – 2002

Learn about the two commemorative coins honoring the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics: a silver dollar and a $5 gold coin, both featuring bold Olympic-themed designs.

Negro Leagues Baseball Commemorative Coin Program

Congress honored the centennial legacy of the Negro Leagues in 2022 with a three-coin commemorative set recognizing the players, teams, and pioneers who kept baseball thriving when the majors were segregated. Learn more about how this set celebrates figures like Rube Foster, highlights the hard realities Negro Leaguers faced on the road, and ensures their lasting impact on America’s pastime is remembered.

National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum Commemorative Coin Program

Congress approved the 2021 National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum three-coin program to honor officers’ service and sacrifice while raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Learn more about how a clad half dollar, a silver dollar, and a $5 gold coin worked together to create one tribute.

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Program

Learn how the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Program was created to honor the nearly two million Americans wounded or killed in action since 1917 and to support the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York.

National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coins

Congress marked the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2016 with a three-coin commemorative program celebrating a century of protecting America’s parks, lands, and monuments. Learn more about how a clad half dollar, a silver dollar, and a $5 gold coin honored the NPS mission and gave collectors a lasting way to salute our national treasures.

National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins

National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins were created to salute Cooperstown’s 75th anniversary and to showcase a bold first for the U.S. Mint: concaved coins. Learn more about the coin design competition and what made this set an instant modern classic for collectors.

2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program

The 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program marked the award’s 150th anniversary and to spotlight the extraordinary valor of its recipients while supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. Read more to learn about how the silver dollar and companion $5 gold coin was designed, minted, and tied to the legacy of America’s highest military decoration.

Coin Type – Marine Corps 230th Anniversary – 2005

Learn how this coin was authorized for the Marine Corps’ 230th anniversary and how it helped fund the National Museum of the Marine Corps and its Heritage Center in Quantico.

2015 March of Dimes Silver Dollar

The 2015 March of Dimes Silver Dollar was issued to honor the foundation’s 75th anniversary and The March of Dimes Foundation legacy, from fighting polio during FDR’s presidency to supporting healthier mothers and babies today. Read more to learn about the special Roosevelt dime tie-ins and the inspiration of the coin design.

Coin Type – Louis Braille Bicentennial – 2009

Congress authorized the 2009 Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar to mark the bicentennial of Braille’s birth. Learn how his reading system transformed education and independence for blind and visually impaired people.

2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Commemorative Silver Dollar

Congress authorized the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Commemorative Silver Dollar to mark the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine’s courageous integration of their school in 1957. Read more to learn about this victory for civil rights and public education in America and the inspiration for the coin’s design.

Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar

The 2017 Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar was authorized to celebrate the Lions Cub’s 100th anniversary and to recognize a century of worldwide volunteer service. Read more to learn about how the coin supported the Lions’ ongoing mission across the globe.

Coin Type – Lewis & Clark Bicentennial – 2004

In 2004, Congress issued a Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar to honor the 200th anniversary of their expedition that opened the American West. Read more to learn about how this coin celebrated the explorers’ impact on U.S. history.

Coin Type – Jamestown 400th Anniversary – 2007

Congress authorized the 2007 Jamestown commemorative coins to mark 400 years since the first English settlement at Jamestown, a turning point that shaped America’s early society and ambitions. Read more to learn about how this anniversary was celebrated and why Jamestown’s legacy still matters today.

2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar

This 2012 commemorative silver dollar honored U.S. Army infantrymen and helped raise funds for the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Read more to learn about the symbolism behind the issue and how collectors responded to it. 

Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar

To mark the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary, Congress issued a 2013 commemorative silver dollar. Read more to learn about why this well-intentioned tribute didn’t sell as well as the U.S. Mint hoped.

First Spouse $10 Gold Coins

Learn about the First Spouse series and how these coins were created alongside the Presidential $1 coins to honor U.S. First Ladies (or Liberty stand-ins for unmarried presidents) in the order they served.

Coin Type – First Flight Centennial – 2003

In 2003, Congress honored the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight at Kitty Hawk. Read more to learn about the inspiration for the design of this coin and its success with collectors.

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