Commemorative Values

Commemorative coins have been popular since the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans. In the beginning they recorded and honored important events and passed along the news of the day. Many modern nations have issued commemorative coins, and they are highly esteemed by collectors. No nation has surpassed the United States when it comes to commemorative coins. The unique position occupied by commemoratives in United States coinage is largely due to the fact that, with few exceptions, all commemorative coins have real historical significance. The progress and advance of people in the New World are presented in an interesting and instructive manner on the commemorative issues. Such a record of facts artistically presented on U.S. gold, silver, and other memorial issues appeals strongly to the collector who favors the historical side of numismatics. It is the historical features of the commemoratives, in fact, that create interest among many people who would otherwise have little interest in coins. Proposed coin programs are considered by two congressional committees: the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and the House Financial Services Committee. Once a program is approved by Congress, the independent Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (ccac.gov) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (cfa.gov) advise the secretary of the Treasury on its coin designs. These special coins are usually issued either to commemorate events or to help pay for monuments or celebrations that commemorate historical persons, places, or things.