Commemorative Coins Honor America’s Rich Heritage
We Americans love our commemorative coins. Coins designed and produced to honor significant people, historical events, unique landmarks, or other monumental happenings in our country are quite popular. While collectors and coin enthusiasts may be drawn to these coins for personal interest, investment possibilities, or the promise of exclusivity, even those who don’t actively collect still find commemorative coins interesting for various reasons.
Commemorative coins have a rich tradition dating back to ancient Greece. In the United States, they’ve been struck intermittently since the late 19th century, often marking pivotal moments in our history and that of the world.
There are many choices to consider when contemplating a commemorative coin or medal purchase. When the United States Mint produces commemorative coin programs, they are created through enabling legislation enacted by Congress. U.S. Mint commemorative coins are designed to honor specific people, places or events. These programs dictate the coin specifications and mintages, along with the cost. In general, any coin that has ever been used to celebrate or memorialize something is considered commemorative. Still, dealers and collectors restrict this definition to the Mint’s coinage that Congress has expressly approved.
Patriotic and historical coins or medals often commemorate significant events in American history, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the end of World War II, our fallen heroes, or the Apollo moon landing. Others highlight the founding principles on which our country was built. These coins honor the American people’s sacrifices, achievements, and resilience. Collecting these commemorative coins can be an excellent way to embrace the spirit of patriotism.
There are many remarkable examples of commemorative coins celebrating historical moments, national symbols, founding principles, service and sacrifice, and community bonds that will thrill numismatists and history enthusiasts alike. You can collect coins released into circulation or purchase others that will never be circulated.
Here are my top five extraordinary (recent) examples of commemorative coins celebrating the nation’s values, identity, patriotism, and history.
5. The American Women Quarters Program
The American Women Quarters program honors women who have served their country in many ways. It is a four-year initiative by the U.S. Mint that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women in the United States. Starting in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the program features up to five new reverse designs on quarters each year. While the obverse of each coin maintains a likeness of George Washington, the reverse designs honor women from diverse backgrounds and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, science, and the arts. Notable women like Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray, the Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša (a.k.a. Gertrude Simmons Bonnin) are featured in the series.
Social justice advocate the Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray is among the United States’ trailblazing women honored in the American Women quarter series.
U.S. Mint
4. American Innovation Quarters Program
The American Innovation dollar coin program honors those whose ideas and inventions have helped to make this country great. It is a multi-year initiative by the U.S. Mint to celebrate innovation and innovators. It involves issuing $1 coins for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Four new $1 coins with distinctive reverse designs are released annually, representing the order in which states ratified the U.S. Constitution or were admitted to the Union. The common obverse features the Statue of Liberty, while the reverse showcases an image featuring or related to incredible innovations or innovators from each state or territory.
Coins issued in 2023 under the American Innovation dollar program commemorate innovation from the states of Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Indiana.
The U.S. Mint
3. The 2024 American Buffalo Coin
I believe that the American Buffalo gold coin embodies America’s rugged spirit. Based on James Earle Fraser’s iconic 1913 Buffalo nickel, its design features a Native American profile on the obverse and an American bison (often mistakenly called a buffalo – but don’t get an archaeology major started on that) on the reverse. I think that Fraser’s vision captures the essence of the spirit of America’s First People and the connection to nature that defined their identity.
2024 gold American Buffalo coin.
U.S. Mint
2. The American Liberty Coin Program
My second favorite is the gold American Liberty coin, winner of the 2019 “Best Gold Coin” Coin of the Year award. The American Liberty program has been in place since 2015, celebrating modern interpretations of American liberty. These coins and medals feature contemporary depictions of allegorical Liberty on the obverse side, paired with complementary eagle designs on the reverse. Initially released as 24-karat gold coins, they were later issued as silver medals. Notably, the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary gold coin was the Mint’s first proof high relief coin, portraying Liberty as an African American woman. In 2019, the U.S. Mint also produced the silver medal in high relief for the first time.
2017 American Liberty gold coin, winner of a 2019 Coin of the Year award for Best Gold Coin.
U.S. Mint
1. The Greatest Generation
The run of coins in The Greatest Generation commemorative program honors those who served our country in World War II.
U.S. Mint
One of the most heartwarming patriotically themed commemoratives available is the “Greatest Generation” set. Available now through the U.S. Mint, these coins honor the 16 million Americans who served in World War II. My father was one of those Americans. What makes this set especially poignant is the rate at which we are losing these amazing human beings. Living members of this generation are either in their late 90s or are centenarians. In 2023, it was estimated that less than 1 percent still survive. These coins offer a way to celebrate the significant achievements of everyday Americans “who more than self, their country loved.”
Commemorative coins are tangible reminders of America’s journey, resilience, and shared values. Whether you’re a collector or simply intrigued by history, these coins offer a glimpse into the nation’s past. So, next time you come across a commemorative coin, take a moment to appreciate the stories it tells because those are the stories of all of us, the stories of America the Beautiful.
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