Commemorative coins have been around since the days of the Greeks and Romans. In the beginning, they were used to record and honor important events. And, in the absence of newspapers, they proved useful in passing along important news of the day.
Many modern nations have issued commemorative coins which are highly sought after by collectors. But no nation has surpassed the United States when it comes to commemorative coins.
People who collect commemoratives are usually geared more toward the historical side of coin collecting. It is the historical features of the commemoratives that create interest among many people who would otherwise have little interest in coins.
Here's more about commemorative coins...
What Are Commemorative Coins?
These special coins are usually issued either to commemorate events or to help pay for monuments and celebrations that commemorate historical persons, places, or things.
A commemorative coin is offered in most instances by a commission in charge of the event to be commemorated and it's sold at a price higher than the face value of the coin.
There have been many many commemoratives made over the years -- too many to list in one article. So I'm going to list what are known as the "modern" commemoratives here.
Modern Commemorative Coins
Modern commemoratives are commemorative coins minted from 1982 to present date. The prices below are for MS-67 grade coins. Anything graded less will be worth considerably less.
2007
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative
2007 P Silver Dollar - $40.00
2007 P Gold $5 Coin - $250.00
2006
San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative
2006 S Silver Dollar - $40.00
2006 S Gold $5 Coin - $250.00
Benjamin Franklin Commemorative
2006 P "Scientist" Silver Dollar - $67.00
2006 P "Founding Father" Silver Dollar - $61.00
2005
Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Commemorative
2005 P Silver Dollar - $45.00
Chief Justice John Marshall Commemorative
2005 P Silver Dollar - $40.00
2004
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemorative
2004 P Silver Dollar - $42.00
Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative
2004 P Silver Dollar - $45.00
2003
First Flight Centennial Commemorative
2003 P Half Dollar - $18.00
2003 P Silver Dollar - $40.00
2003 P Gold $10 Coin - $530.00
2002
West Point Bicentennial Commemorative
2002 W Silver Dollar - $30.00
Salt Lake City Olympic Games Commemorative
2002 D Silver Dollar - $42.00
2002 W Gold $5 Coin - $500.00
2001
Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative
2001 P Half Dollar - $16.00
2001 P Silver Dollar - $45.00
2001 W Gold $5 Coin - $1,350.00
American Buffalo Commemorative
2001 D Silver Dollar - $285.00
2000
Leif Ericson Millennium Commemorative
2000 P Silver Dollar - $95.00
Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative
2000 P Silver Dollar - $47.00
2000 W Gold/Platinum $10 Coin - $3,500.00
1999
Yellowstone National Park Commemorative
1999 P Silver Dollar - $56.00
George Washington Death Bicentennial Commemorative
1999 W Gold $5 Coin - $475.00
Dolly Madison Commemorative
1999 P Silver Dollar - $55.00
1998
Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative
1998 S Silver Dollar - $160.00
Robert F. Kennedy Commemorative
1998 S Silver Dollar - $35.00
1997
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Commemorative
1997 P Silver Dollar - $190.00
Franklin D. Roosevelt Commemorative
1997 W Gold $5 Coin - $1,000.00
Jackie Robinson Commemorative
1997 S Silver Dollar - $100.00
1997 W Gold $5 Coin - $5,000.00
Botanic Garden Commemorative
1997 P Silver Dollar - $50.00
1996
Smithsonian Institution 150th Anniversary Commemorative
1996 D Silver Dollar - $155.00
1996 W Gold $5 Coin - $1,300.00
National Community Service Commemorative
1996 S Silver Dollar - $275.00
1995
Special Olympics Games Commemorative
1995 W Silver Dollar - $32.00
Centennial Olympic Games Commemorative
1995 S Basketball Half Dollar - $24.00
1995 S Baseball Half Dollar - $26.00
1995 S Swimming Half Dollar - $175.00
1995 S Soccer Half Dollar - $110.00
1995 D Gymnastics Silver Dollar - $90.00
1995 D Paralympics Silver Dollar - $100.00
1995 D Track and Field Silver Dollar - $100.00
1995 D Cycling Silver Dollar - $165.00
1996 D Tennis Silver Dollar - $325.00
1996 D Paralympics Silver Dollar - $400.00
1996 D Rowing Silver Dollar - $375.00
1996 D High Jump Silver Dollar - $480.00
1995 W Torch Runner Gold $5 Coin - $700.00
1995 W Stadium Gold $5 Coin - $1,150.00
1996 W Flag Bearer Gold $5 Coin - $950.00
1996 W Cauldron Gold $5 Coin - $900.00
Civil War Battlefields Commemorative
1995 S Half Dollar - $50.00
1995 P Silver Dollar - $85.00
1995 W Gold $5 Coin - $800.00
1994
U.S. Capitol Bicentennial Commemorative
1994 D Silver Dollar - $24.00
Women in Military Services Memorial Commemorative
1994 W Silver Dollar - $50.00
U.S. Prisoner of War Memorial Commemorative
1994 W Silver Dollar - $100.00
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commemorative
1994 W Silver Dollar - $92.00
World Cup Tournament Commemorative
1994 D Half Dollar - $13.00
1994 D Silver Dollar - $28.00
1994 W Gold $5 Coin - $325.00
1993
Thomas Jefferson Commemorative
1993 & 94 P Silver Dollar - $27.00
Bill of Rights Commemorative
1993 W Half Dollar - $22.00
1993 D Silver Dollar - $21.00
1993 W Gold $5 Coin - $325.00
1992
Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Commemorative
1992 D Half Dollar - $13.00
1992 D Silver Dollar - $32.00
1992 W Gold $5 Coin - $330.00
White House 200th Anniversary Commemorative
1992 D Silver Dollar - $36.00
XXV Olympiad Commemorative
1992 P Half Dollar - $8.50
1992 D Silver Dollar - $25.00
1992 W Gold $5 Coin - $300.00
1991
50th Anniversary of World War II Commemorative (All coins date 1991-1995)
P Half Dollar - $35.00
D Silver Dollar - $34.00
W Gold $5 Coin - $350.00
United Service Organizations Commemorative
1991 D Silver Dollar - $17.00
Korean War Memorial Commemorative
1991 D Silver Dollar - $16.50
Mount Rushmore Golden Anniversary Commemorative
1991 D Half Dollar - $22.00
1991 P Silver Dollar - $36.00
1991 W Gold $5 Coin - $300.00
1990
Eisenhower Centennial Commemorative
1990 W Silver Dollar - $20.00
1989
Congress Bicentennial Commemorative
1989 D Half Dollar - $8.50
1989 D Silver Dollar - $18.00
1989 W Gold $5 Coin - $200.00
1988
Seoul Olympiad Commemorative
1988 D Silver Dollar - $14.00
1988 W Gold $5 Coin - $185.00
1987
Constitution Bicentennial Commemorative
1987 P Silver Dollar - $14.00
1987 W Gold $5 Coin - $185.00
1986
Statue of Liberty Commemorative
1986 D Half Dollar - $6.75
1986 P Silver Dollar - $13.00
1986 W Gold $5 Coin - $185.00
1983 - 1984
Los Angeles Olympiad Commemorative
1983 P Discus Thrower Silver Dollar - $12.00
1983 D Discus Thrower Silver Dollar - $12.00
1983 S Discus Thrower Silver Dollar - $12.00
1984 P Coliseum Silver Dollar - $14.00
1984 D Coliseum Silver Dollar - $18.00
1984 S Coliseum Silver Dollar - $18.00
1984 P Gold $10 Coin - $375.00
1984 D Gold $10 Coin - $390.00
1984 S Gold $10 Coin - $360.00
1984 W Gold $10 Coin - $360.00
1982
George Washington Commemorative
1982 D Half Dollar - $7.00
Read about commemorative coins authorized by Congress which celebrate and honor American people, places, historic events, and institutions. Commemorative coins are only available directly from the United States Mint for a limited time.
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We have a coin that has George Washington on both sides. It is a little larger than a quarter. Around the top it says (1789 1st President U.S.A. 1797) and Around the bottom, (George Washington).
Could you tell us what kind of coin it is and perhaps what the value may be? Thanks, Kay
General Comment - Most of you are describing "coins" that are not officially issued by the U.S. Mint, but rather 3rd parties who do not have anything to do with the mint. Which, unfortunately makes those "coins" only worth about the value of the metal that they contain. If you would like to know just about every commemorative put out by the U.S Mint over the years I would suggest a guide to U.S. commemoratives such as this one on Amazon.. GUIDE TO U.S. COMMEMORATIVE COINS
Good info.....
Have you ever heard of a small cooper coin of George Washington on the front with Born 1732 died 1799 on the back, also have one with abe lincoln with a design on the back. They are the size of a dime.
how much real silver is in a US Commemorative coin? - Bill
I am in possession of a 1931 Memorial Commemorative coin for the George Washington Bridge -New York to New Jersey. How do I go about finding out the value of this commemorative coin?
I have three commemorative $5 cupronickel coins. I space shuttle columbia 1981-1991 (4-1-1991)/1 elvis presley (1993)/1 dwight d eisenhower (10-13-1990). All were issued by the Republic of the Marshall Islands. any info would be helpful Thanks