Commemorative Coin Programs (2024)

Congress authorizes commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although these coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. Each commemorative coin is produced by the United States Mint in limited quantity and is only available for a limited time.

As well as commemorating important aspects of American history and culture, these coins help raise money for important causes. Part of the price of these coins is a surcharge that goes to organizations and projects that benefit the community. For example, surcharges on the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center commemorative coins helped build a new visitor center under the U.S. Capitol’s East Plaza.

Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised more than $506,301,189 in surcharges to help build new museums, maintain national monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, preserve historical sites like George Washington’s home, support various Olympic programs, and much more. Buy commemorative coins in the online catalog.

Watch the videos in this playlist to learn more about our commemorative coin programs.

This page contains the following video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnRboZn7Zvg

Commemorative Coin Programs

2022 Commemorative Coins

2021 Commemorative Coins

2020 Commemorative Coins

2019 Commemorative Coins

2018 Commemorative Coins

2017 Commemorative Coins

2016 Commemorative Coins

2015 Commemorative Coins

2014 Commemorative Coins

2013 Commemorative Coins

2012 Commemorative Coins

2011 Commemorative Coins

2010 Commemorative Coins

2009 Commemorative Coins

2008 Commemorative Coins

2007 Commemorative Coins

2006 Commemorative Coins

2005 Commemorative Coins

2004 Commemorative Coins

2003 Commemorative Coins

2002 Commemorative Coins

2001 Commemorative Coins

2000 Commemorative Coins

1999 Commemorative Coins

1998 Commemorative Coins

1997 Commemorative Coins

1996 Commemorative Coins

1995 Commemorative Coins

1994 Commemorative Coins

1993 Commemorative Coins

1992 Commemorative Coins

1991 Commemorative Coins

1990 Commemorative Coins

1989

1988 Commemorative Coins

1987 Commemorative Coins

1986 Commemorative Coins

1984

1983

1982 Commemorative Coins

Commemorative Coins from 1892-1954

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Compliance Procedures for Surcharge Eligibility and Payments

Commemorative coin programs are created by enabling legislation enacted by Congress to honor a person, place or event. The enabling legislation dictates the coin specifications, mintages, cost considerations, and surcharge amount to be collected. A surcharge is a set amount per coin that the Mint collects and distributes to the designated recipient organization which must use the proceeds for the purpose(s) specified in the enabling legislation. Historically, the Mint has been required to pay surcharges to recipients whether or not all the Mint’s program costs were recovered and without any accountability requirements for the recipient organization. In 1996, Congress enacted legislation changing the Mint’s requirement to pay surcharges.

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Commemorative Coin Programs (2024)

FAQs

Are the commemorative coins worth anything? ›

Commemorative coins are minted only once and never again, so their numismatic value can increase over time. Their price depends on their uniqueness and collector demand. If silver prices go up, their value will also increase.

Where can I cash in commemorative coins? ›

As they are not circulating legal tender, banks and building societies have never been obliged to accept commemorative coins. Some banks may accept them at their own discretion, but in truth it remains somewhat unlikely. If you really want rid of your commemorative coins, you can cash them in at large Post Offices.

How many commemorative coins are there? ›

Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

These coins are legal tender that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Overall, 158 commemorative coins have been authorized since 1892.

What year coins are worth keeping? ›

All quarters minted before 1965 are worth their silver value. All Standing Liberty quarters have a premium above that value, except for well-worn coins. Among Washington quarters, only the 1932-D and 1932-S have a significant premium over the silver value. The 1955-D also carries a premium.

How do I find out what my coins are worth? ›

Reputable coin dealers, Coin Auctions, eBay, and Price Guides are great places to start. If your coins are graded by one of the Top Tier grading services like PCGS or NGC, you can usually get a reasonable value estimate sight-unseen!

How much is a 1977 jubilee coin worth today? ›

REG FD 1977'. The coin is quite different to others as it measures 3.83cm in diameter and 28.28g in weight. The coin can be purchased on eBay for around £2 meaning it doesn't have a huge amount of worth.

How much is a Charles and Diana commemorative coin worth? ›

Currently, depending on their condition, copper-nickel versions of the Charles and Diana Royal Wedding coins are selling for around 80p to £4. The proof version contains 0.841 troy ounces of silver. Therefore, if the price of silver was £14 per troy ounce, the proof coin would be worth around £11.80 at the very least.

Why do people collect commemorative coins? ›

The simplest definition is that commemorative coins are special coins that are designed and minted to remember and honor significant people, events or places.

Do banks exchange commemorative coins? ›

Our popular silver commemorative coins:

Please note that whilst these coins are legal tender, they are not designed for general circulation, so banks and shops are unlikely to accept the coins.

What is the cheapest way to turn coins into cash? ›

To exchange coins for bills, try taking them to a local bank or retailer that offers coin-counting services. With some coin-counting machines, like Coinstar, you can also exchange coins for gift cards for free or donate your spare change to charity.

Is a commemorative coin a real coin? ›

Congress authorizes commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although these coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation.

How can you tell if a coin is commemorative? ›

Commemorative coins are coins with a special motif. They are issued by countries on a single occasion, for example to celebrate anniversaries, treaties or personalities. Today, the target group of these pieces, whose price is often much higher than their face and material value, are mainly collectors.

Can I spend 5 commemorative coins? ›

Yes. Those 5 pound commemorative coins that the Royal Mint releases are, in fact, legal tender.

Are commemorative coins real gold? ›

Since 1986, the US Mint has produced commemorative gold coins featuring 90% gold content. The coins are the same size and weight as the traditional $5 Liberty Gold and $5 Indian Gold coins, with each design celebrating a different iconic moment or person from American history.

How do I clean my coin collection? ›

Vinegar. A common ingredient in DIY eco-friendly cleaners, the acetic acid in white vinegar can help wear away the contamination on your coins. Soak your coins in a glass or other non-corrosive container for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight, and then wipe with a clean cloth or scrub gently with an old toothbrush.

Should you clean coins before selling? ›

Don't clean your coins! Not only does this cut their value by as much as half (or possibly even more), but it will be an immediate deal-breaker for many dealers who would've otherwise wanted to buy your coins if only they were left in their original condition.

Should I keep my old coins? ›

Coin collections have a profound and rich history, and to preserve that history you need to store your coins so they will not get damaged. Properly stored coins will be worth more and will provide more money to your heirs when it comes time to sell them.

Is there an app to scan coins for value? ›

PCGS Coin Facts App – Android & iOS

PCGS is the industry standard for grading and valuing coins, so you can be confident their information is accurate! PCGS offers a whole range of different apps available for both Android and iOS phones and tablets.

What are the 10 most valuable coins to collect? ›

10 Of The Rarest And Most Valuable Coins in the World
  1. 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin.
  2. Silver Flowing Hair Dollar. ...
  3. 1933 Double Eagle Gold Coin. ...
  4. 1787 Brasher Gold Doubloon. ...
  5. 2007 'Big Maple Leaf' 100kg Gold Coin. ...
  6. 1804 Silver Dollar. ...
  7. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. ...
  8. 1822 Half Eagle Gold Coin. ...
26 Oct 2022

Are Queen's Silver Jubilee coins worth anything? ›

As such, it is not highly valuable, but does tend to still fetch more than its original value. The silver Proof coin would be worth more with collectors, though bullion dealers such as ourselves would only be able to offer the metal value.

What is a 1965 Churchill coin worth? ›

Known as the satin-finished VIP coin, it's estimated that only 1000 of these coins were made. They are usually found to be worth around at least £1000 with a certificate of authenticity. Because of Churchill's impressive legacy, the Royal Mint also felt it appropriate to commemorate him not just once, but three times.

How much is the Queen's 70th Jubilee 50p worth? ›

There are plenty of circulated and uncirculated Platinum Jubilee 50p coins selling at around the £2 mark on ebay.

How rare is the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana coin? ›

1981 Australian 200 Dollar Coin - The Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Comprised of 10 grams of 22 Carat Gold, this Non-Circulating release was limited to a mintage of only 77,890.

Where is the best place to sell commemorative coins UK? ›

The best place to sell these types of coins is eBay. There is a huge following and better yet, you keep all your profits made.

What Queen Victoria coins are valuable? ›

The Queen Victoria Sovereign coin is highly collectible, but other gold and silver Victorian coin types include the shilling, florin and crown.

Can you get rich from coin collecting? ›

As a coin collector, it's nearly impossible to make money by just collecting coins. Instead, you can make money by selling all or part of your collectible coins. You can either sell the coins at a profit or liquidate part or your entire coin collection.

What is the Holy Grail of coin collecting? ›

On Monday, GreatCollections of Irvine, CA, announced it purchased a 1913 Liberty Head nickel for $4.2 million. The coin is the holy grail of numismatic collectors because it was produced in Philadelphia without the consent of the US Mint.

Are commemorative coins taxable? ›

168.0050 Coins and Stamps. The sale of coins and stamps as collectors' items is subject to tax.

What bank exchanges coins for free? ›

Here are five places where you can access free coin counting and exchange services: QuikTrip. Bank of America. Wells Fargo.
...
  • QuikTrip. QuikTrip owns a line of gas stations across 11 states, with 800 locations in total. ...
  • Bank of America. ...
  • Wells Fargo. ...
  • US Bank. ...
  • Credit Unions.
13 Sept 2022

How much does Coinstar take out of $100? ›

You do not pay a fee; however, Coinstar retains a 10% processing fee from your donation amount for national charities and a 7.5% processing fee for regional charities.

Does Walmart have a coin machine? ›

Is there a coin-counting machine at Walmart? Yes. Coinstar machines can be found at the vast majority of Walmart locations across the country.

How do I avoid the fee at Coinstar? ›

Coinstar's processing fee is 11.9%. To avoid the processing fee, you'll have to choose to receive an e-gift card instead of cash. Before you choose to get a gift card, review the list of participating restaurants and retailers.

What is the fastest way to tell if a coin is valuable? ›

There are three primary variables that help determine the value of a coin.
  1. Initial Mintage Number. This refers to how many of the coins were originally minted and available in the market.
  2. Coin Grade. The better condition your coin is in, the more valuable it can be.
  3. Demand.
28 May 2021

How can you tell if a coin is high grade? ›

There are generally five main components which determine a coin's grade: strike, surface preservation, luster, coloration and eye appeal. Grading is subjective and even experts can disagree about the grade of a given coin.

How do you get uncirculated coins? ›

Remember, all coins enter the economy through the federal reserve bank. Therefore, except for special collector coins and sets available directly from the mint for a premium, the only way to obtain uncirculated specimens at face value is to purchase them from your bank directly.

What is the rarest commemorative coin? ›

The 11 most valuable coins are:
  • Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: $20,165,100.
  • Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: $13,280,850.
  • Brasher Doubloon: $9,986,500.
  • Edward III Florin: $6,800,000.
  • Umayyad Gold Dinar: $5,405,400.
  • Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: $5,303,400.
  • 1943 Liberty Head V Nickel: $5,250,100.
  • 1894-S Barber Dime: $2,406,200.
12 Oct 2022

How many coins should be in each roll? ›

Number of US Coins per Roll, Rolls per Box, and Corresponding Face Values
DenominationCoins per RollRoll Value
Dimes50$5.00
Quarters40$10.00
Half Dollars20$10.00
Dollar25$25.00
2 more rows
10 Dec 2020

What R5 coins have value? ›

Commemorative R5 coins that are in circulation (circulation coins are the coins that the South African Mint produces for everyday transactions) retain their value of R5 only.
...
These coins include:
  • Krugerrands.
  • Natura series coins.
  • Protea series coins.

Where can I sell my commemorative coins? ›

Selling your coins to Coincraft – Britain's Coin Shop

We have been buying British coins, world coins, ancient coins, British banknotes, world banknotes, medallions, medals, and tokens for over 60 years. We will pay you immediately if we are interested in buying your material.

How can you tell if a commemorative coin is silver? ›

The best way to determine if your coins are silver is to view the edge of the coin. If the coin has a solid silver stripe, then you can feel confident that it's silver. If you can see a copper stripe, then the coin is clad. A more subdued silver stripe with faint traces of copper could mean that the coin is 40% silver.

How do you tell if a coin is gold or copper? ›

The 'ping' test, as this is commonly known, allows us to tell if a coin is made from real or fake gold by listening to the sound it makes when struck. Precious metals will make a long, high-pitched ringing sound when struck as opposed to base metals, whose respective sounds will be duller and much shorter.

Which 50ps are worth keeping? ›

Top 10 most valuable 50p coins, according to Royal Mint
  • Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000.
  • Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500.
  • Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500.
  • Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500.
  • Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500.
  • Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000.
  • Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000.
  • Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000.
3 Dec 2022

Which 50p coins are worth keeping? ›

The most valuable 50p coins
  • 2011 London Olympics Aquatics (first design) – 600.
  • 2009 Kew Gardens – 210,000.
  • 2011 London Olympics Wrestling – 1,129,500.
  • 2011 London Olympics Football – 1,161,500.
  • 2011 London Olympics Judo – 1,161,500.
  • 2011 London Olympic Triathlon – 1,163,500.
  • 2018 Peter Rabbit – 1,400,000.

What English coins are rare? ›

Most rare UK coins
  • 1917 George V Sovereign London – Valued at £10,000+ ...
  • 1933 George V Penny – Valued at £72,000. ...
  • 1983 “New Pence” 2p Coin – Valued at £500-£1,000. ...
  • 1703 Queen Anne VIGO Five Guinea – Valued at £100,000+ ...
  • 2012 London Olympics Aquatics 50p – Valued at £1,500.

What is the best coin to start collecting? ›

Top Coins to Collect
  • Walking Liberty Half Dollar. ...
  • 50 State Quarters. ...
  • Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. ...
  • Two-Cent Coin. ...
  • Silver Peace Dollar. ...
  • Rare, Key Date Coins. ...
  • High-Grade Coins. ...
  • Bullion Coins. Another coin that could be a great investment is a bullion coin.
28 Oct 2020

What coins are in demand right now? ›

What Precious Coins are in Demand? Silver and gold American Eagles generally take the top spot on the average list of most wanted coins, at least in the English-speaking world. That means, if you happen to have one for sale, you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a buyer, especially in an online setting.

Is Paddington Bear 50p piece worth anything? ›

How much are the Paddington Bear 50ps worth? Paddington Bear 50ps have been known to sell for tens of thousands of pounds.

What is the rarest 50p to collect? ›

The rarest is the Kew Garden 50 pence coin, which was designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the gardens in 2009. Only 210,000 coins were ever minted in this design.

How much is Peter Rabbit 50p worth? ›

If you own the Peter Rabbit 50p coin it's currently worth £3.50.

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