Posts tagged 'commemorative'

In the history of American coinage, the list of women who have designed coins has remained few. While Emily Damstra and Jennie Norris join that list with their stunning American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle designs, another woman is also finally being honored by having her design on circulating coinage: Laura Gardin Fraser.

While most Americans know the U.S. Mint for the circulating coinage that occupies their wallets, another important function of the Mint is striking commemorative coins. While technically legal tender, commemorative coins are produced primarily to celebrate individuals, events, places, and institutions important to the United States. In addition to their celebratory nature, commemorative coins also help raise money to support historical preservation efforts. Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, over $500 million dollars have been raised to help build museums, maintain national monuments, and support various programs. 

Christopher Columbus is remembered for famously voyaging to the Americas aboard La Santa Maria in 1492. This event, credited for expanding Western culture to the “New World,” shaped our world to a greater degree than perhaps any other event in history.

This month marks the 95th anniversary of the inception of the Oregon Trail commemorative Half Dollar, the longest-running commemorative coin ever struck by the U.S. Mint, and one of the most widely collected coins from its period. 

Earlier this week marked the birth of the Eleventh Chief Engraver, Elizabeth Jones. As one of our country’s most esteemed engravers of the modern era, Rare Collectibles TV would like to celebrate her immense contributions to the hobby. From the resurrection of the commemorative coin program in 1982 to the official opening of the West Point Mint in 1988, Jones oversaw some of the largest events to occur in modern numismatic history.

While most Americans know the U.S. Mint for the circulating coinage that occupies their wallets, another important function of the Mint is striking commemorative coins. While technically legal tender, commemorative coins are produced primarily to celebrate individuals, events, places, and institutions important to the United States. In addition to their celebratory nature, commemorative coins also help raise money to support historical preservation efforts. Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, over $500 million dollars have been raised to help build museums, maintain national monuments, and support various programs.