United States Commemorative coins are among the choices of those interested in buying gold coins. The United States Mint has been minting commemorative coins with the authorization of the US Congress for years now. The purpose of producing these coins is to honor famous people, events, institutions and places. Commemorative coins are struck in gold, silver and clad (gold plated), and can be divided into the following:
- Old coins that were produced from 1892 to 1981
- Modern coins that are being produced since 1982
The United States Mint has already announced the various commemorative coins it will be producing from 2011 to 2014. All these coins will be available in both proof and uncirculated collector mintages. In 2010 two such coins were struck in silver and no commemorative coins were struck in gold. However, 2011 will see the release of various clad and gold commemorative coins apart from several silver dollars.
The mintage of these coins is limited to specific quantities and they are issued for only 12 months. The price of these coins also includes surcharges that are sent to foundations, memorials and other organizations for the purpose of support and preserving.
“Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised over $418,000,000 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,” the US Mint Web site states.
Buying Gold Coins: 2011 Commemorative Coins
The coming year i.e. 2011 will see the release of two military motif coins. The first series would be the 2011 United States Army Commemorative Coins that will include $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and 50c clad coins. Every coin in this series will represent the US Army’s history, traditions and heritage as well as the role it has been playing in the American society since the Colonial period. The mintage of $5 commemorative gold coins will be limited to 100,000 along with a $35 surcharge per coin.
Another series for traders looking forward to buying gold coins will be the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins. This series will include both $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins. The coins will serve as reminders of the Medal of Honor to Americans and the former recipients of these honors.
Buying Gold Coins: Why Commemorative Coins?
Commemorative coins are emblematic of our history which is why these remain in demand. Be it uncirculated or proof, buying gold coins that are commemorative is a popular hobby among collectors. Commemorative coins have been around since the times of the Romans and Greeks. In the history of America, among the initial commemorative gold coins that circulated was the 1892 Columbian Exposition half dollar. These were struck representing 53 different events.
In 1936, the circulation of commemorative gold coins increased with 15 new coins. Some of these are the Maine Tercentenary, Rhode Island Tercentenay, the Long Island Tercentenary, the Illinois Centennial, Wisconsin Territorial Centennial and the Delaware Tercentenary. The New York Sesquicentennial Half Dollar, the Connecticut Tercentenary Half Dollar and the Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar were produced in 1935. Later in 1986, the Statue of Liberty was honored on a $5 gold coin. Some other popular events that have been represented on gold coins include the Bill of Rights, the Constitution Bicentennial, Civil War Battlefield and World War II.
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