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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

Albany (NY) Charter 250th -1936

The people of Albany, NY, recognized the 250th anniversary of 1686 granting of their Municipal Charter. They wanted a commemorative half dollar to defray the

Alabama Centennial – 1921

Alabama's 100th Anniversary approached in 1919 and there was no activity to celebrate it. Legislation to recognize Alabama was introduced by Alabama Congressman Rainey and

Yellowstone National Park – 1999

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant established Yellowstone National Park as America’s first national park. In 1997, the park observed the 125th anniversary of its opening.

XXV Olympiad France & Spain – 1992

The Olympic Summer Games were held in Barcelona in 1992. These games featured an American Basketball team of NBA All-Stars like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird

World Cup Tournament – 1994

In 1994, Congress passed legislation that would celebrate the XV FIFA World Cup Soccer playoff games that were hosted by the United States in 9

Women in Military Service Memorial – 1994

The 1994 Women in Military Service Memorial Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued to raise funds for the construction of a memorial complex honoring American Women

White House Bicentennial – 1992

The cornerstone was placed in 1792 and the building became the official residence in 1800. Like many monuments in the District of Columbia, the White

Vietnam Veterans Memorial – 1994

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Silver Dollar Program was created to sell commemorative Silver Dollar coins with the proceeds to go towards the repair and maintenance

U. S. Capitol Bicentennial – 1994

The Bicentennial of the building of the United States Capitol was in 1994. Some complained that the Capitol building had appeared on the 1989 Congressional

U. S. Botanic Garden – 1997

The 175th Anniversary of the National Botanic Garden took place in 1995, but was commemorated with a Silver Dollar in 1997. While highly unusual, it

United Service Organization (USO) – 1991

The USO provided a great deal of entertainment to US troops stationed overseas during World War II, in Korea, Vietnam, and numerous Middle Eastern locations.

U.S. Constitution Bicentennial – 1987

1987 was the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. While not a perfect document, it was a statement of the rights of free men.

US Capitol Visitor Center – 2001

The U S Capitol Clad Half Dollar was the first commemorative Half Dollar struck since the 1995-1996 Olympic Half Dollars.

Thomas Jefferson – 250th Birthday – 1993

Congress authorized issue of a commemorative Silver Dollar for the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth. Thiswas a rare instance in which the maximum authorized

Statue of Liberty Centennial – 1986

Edgar V. Steever designed the obverse. The central vignette is a large sun rising to highlight the Statue of Liberty, to the left.

Special Olympics World Games – 1996

In 1995, the Special Olympics held a World Games in Connecticut. Congress sought to honor these athletes and their competition by authorizing a commemorative Silver Dollar.

Smithsonian Institution – 150th Anniversary – 1996

It has been called “America’s Attic” – the Smithsonian Institution houses the greatest collection of American historical and cultural artifacts known to man.

Seoul Olympiad – 1988

The United States Olympic team attended and participated in the Seoul, Korea, Olympics in 1988. The U.S. Mint celebrated these Olympics by issuing a Silver

Robert F. Kennedy – 1998

In 1998, on the 30th Anniversary of the death of Senator Robert Kennedy, Congress honored him with a commemorative Silver Dollar that honored his life

National Community Service – 1996

In order to foster the spirit of volunteerism and encourage citizens to become volunteers, Congress authorized the 1996 National Community Service Silver Dollar.

Mount Rushmore Golden Anniversary – 1991

1991 was Mount Rushmore's 50th anniversary. Congress authorized a 3-coin set to honor the US monument to our four most revered Presidents.

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.