Commemorative coins have been popular since the days of the Greeks and Romans. In the beginning, they served to honor important events and served as newspapers to pass along the events of the day. Many modern nations have issued commemorative coins that are highly sought after by collectors. With few exceptions, these commemoratives have a real historical significance, illusrtating the progress and advance of the people in the New World in an interesting and instructional manner. Such a record of history, so artistically presented in gold and silver is strongly appealing to collectors. The most interesting facts about commemoratives is that it takes an act of Congress to approve the issue of a commemorative coin and all commemoratives are of the standard weight and fineness of traditional gold and silver coins. All commemoratives are legal tender. Another intersting fact is that the Lincoln cent (first issued in 1909), the Washington quarter (first issued in 1934) and the Bicentennial series coins issued in 1976 are all circulating designs that were first issued as commemoratives. In general, high quality, brilliant uncirculated commemoratives (MS-60) are worth far more than uncirculated MS-60 pieces that are dull or have contact marks. The limited number of proof strikes or presentation pieces of commemoratives are very rare, thus valuable. United States commemorative coins date back to 1893 with commemoratives dated after 1980 considered modern. Given the popularity and value of commemoratives, it is a great idea to purchase new commemoratives as they are issued and tuck them away for the future. You could realize hundreds of percent return on your investment. |
