Commemorative Values

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.

The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner commemoratives 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 2022 National Purple Heart commemorative coin set 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.

The 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame commemoratives 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 coins were issued to mark 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 commemorative 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.