Commemorative Coins to Add to Your Collection
Commemorative coins are coins minted to commemorate, or honor, a person, place, event, or even a time in history. Commemorative coins are often lovely works of art in their own right, and if purchased uncirculated, as a collector’s item, they may come in beautiful colors, with literature, or special storage containers. This article provides a basic description of some of the more popular commemorative coins.
Almost everyone has heard of the state quarters. About every ten weeks from 1999 through 2008 a new quarter is released commemorating one of the fifty states. These quarters are in wide circulation, so casual collectors can probably find them by sorting through their loose change. State quarters can also be ordered colorized, with maps with slots for each of the quarters, or even with teddy bears.
The Sacagawea golden dollar is a somewhat less popular commemorative coin. Released in 2000 to honor the contributions of the Native American woman (girl, actually, since she was only 15 at the time), Sacagawea, to the Lewis and Clark expedition, the coin never really caught on, though it’s still a treat for collectors.
Not all commemorative coins were minted so recently. The Oregon Trail Half Dollar, minted from 1926-1939, celebrated the spirit of the pioneers who settled the west. Oxen pulling a wagon are displayed on one side of the coin and a Native American man with his arm outstretched is depicted on the other.
Some coins have also been minted to celebrate famous Americans, such as Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin.
Commemorative Coins from Other Countries
Of course, not only the United States mints commemorative coins. Canada has coins commemorating, among other things, cancer victim Terry Fox’s run across Canada, the sinking of the Titanic, and the use of sled dog teams to cross the frozen countryside.
Great Britain has a fascinating and intricately designed two-pound coin, struck in silver and plated in gold, celebrating the discovery of DNA. On a more somber note, the coins struck in 1981 to celebrate Prince Charles’s wedding to Lady Diana still haunt many online auction sites.
Even Jordan has coins to commemorate the World Wildlife Fund and the International Year of the Child, among other events. Some Jordan coins also mark events in the royal family, such as the 25th and 40th anniversary of King Hussein’s reign.
Commemorative coins can be a fun way to give your coin collection a jump start and learn a little about the history of a country while you’re at it.
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Collecting American Coins
Starting in American Coin Collecting
Ancient Coins: An Amazing History Lesson
Ancient Coin Collecting: A Look Into Times Past
Pirate’s Treasure and Antique Coins
British Coin Collecting – A Feel of Nostalgia
Seven Canadian Coins Every Collector Should Own
Three Unique Differences in Canadian Coin Collecting
Where to Get a Coin Appraisal
Three Advantages to Coin Collecting For Kids
Coin and Currency Collecting – An Overview
Bidding in an Online Coin Auction
Three Levels of Coin Collecting
What Coin Collecting Accessories Are There?
Coin Collecting Album: Show Off Your Collection
Protecting Your Investment with Coin Collecting Cases
Coins from Coin Collecting Dealer
Coin Collecting Folder: Preserve Your Valuable Collection
Little Collections: Coin Collecting for Children
Coin Collecting Hobby – A Commemorating Passion
Coin Collecting Information Unfolds the Hidden History
Resources in Determining Coin Collecting Prices
How to Start a Coin Collection
What Kind of Coin Collector are You?
Coin Prices Are Not Coin Values
Determining Coin Value
Origin of Coins and Numismatists
What Makes a Collectible Coin?
Commemorative Coins to Add to Your Collection
Foreign Coin Collecting: A Hobby Spanning The Entire World
Gold Coin Collecting as a Financial Investment
Gold Coins Through Time
Old Coin Prices: How Much Should You Pay?
Protecting Old Coin Values
Old Coins of Ancient Greece
Buying a Rare Coin
Rare Coin Collecting: Is It For Everyone?
Don’t be Fooled by Counterfeit Roman Coins
Cleaning Your Silver Coins
Check Your Pocket Change for Valuable Coins
Commemorative Coins to Add to Your Collection
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Saturday, February 24, 2007
Check Your Pocket Change for Valuable Coins
You could have a valuable coin or two jingling around in your pocket. We really don’t look at the coins in our pockets, we just give them to a clerk or feed them to a vending machine. It is perfectly possible, however, that you might have a valuable coin in there. When you think about all the change that has passed through your hands, it’s even probable. You could have had your hands on a coin or two worth hundreds of dollars!
Valuable Error Coins
The valuable coins most likely to go unnoticed are error coins. They get passed over because, superficially, they don’t look any different than other coins. Even if you make it a habit to check the dates on your coins, you could easily still miss an error coin. You have to take a closer look.
Error coins are produced when a die miss-strikes a coin blank or has a defect in it. The die may produce a double image on one side of the coin, the images might not line up correctly or there may be a defect mark on the coin. If the mint discovers that a die is creating error coins, of course they correct the problem as quickly as possible. They also try to recover the error coins. So, when error coins do get into circulation they can be quite valuable.
Double Die Errors
Some of the more valuable coins have a slightly doubled image on one side. If the entire image is doubled, it is a double strike. If just part of the image is doubled, however, it is because the double image is on the die that stamps the coin. As you can imagine, these are very rare and valuable coins.
The most valuable double die coin is a 1969 S-Lincoln penny. It is very rare and, if it’s in decent condition, could be worth $35,000 or more. Unfortunately, if you do find one, it’s likely to be a counterfeit. Have it checked by an expert before you get too excited.
Axis Rotation Errors
These errors are actually fairly common in the new State quarters. The images on the obverse (front) and reverse (back) of a coin should be exactly 180° apart. If you hold the coin with the obverse straight upright and rotate it, the reverse should be straight downright. If it’s not, the die wasn’t lined up right. If both sides are straight up (a full 180° rotation), the coin could be worth about $20.00.
Die Defects
Sometimes the die develops a defect that gets stamped onto coins. Two examples of die defects are the 2004-D “Extra Leaf” Wisconsin State quarter, and the 2005-D Speared Bison nickel. A defect in the die for the Wisconsin quarter made an image that looks like the ear of corn on the back of the quarter has an extra leaf. A defect in the nickel die makes it look like there is a spear sticking in the bison between his front and rear legs.
You never know what you might find in your pocket change. There’s probably not a valuable coin there. But you won’t know unless you check it out, will you?
- Information Directory -
Categories
Coin Collecting Home
Collecting American Coins
Starting in American Coin Collecting
Ancient Coins: An Amazing History Lesson
Ancient Coin Collecting: A Look Into Times Past
Pirate’s Treasure and Antique Coins
British Coin Collecting – A Feel of Nostalgia
Seven Canadian Coins Every Collector Should Own
Three Unique Differences in Canadian Coin Collecting
Where to Get a Coin Appraisal
Three Advantages to Coin Collecting For Kids
Coin and Currency Collecting – An Overview
Bidding in an Online Coin Auction
Three Levels of Coin Collecting
What Coin Collecting Accessories Are There?
Coin Collecting Album: Show Off Your Collection
Protecting Your Investment with Coin Collecting Cases
Coins from Coin Collecting Dealer
Coin Collecting Folder: Preserve Your Valuable Collection
Little Collections: Coin Collecting for Children
Coin Collecting Hobby – A Commemorating Passion
Coin Collecting Information Unfolds the Hidden History
Resources in Determining Coin Collecting Prices
How to Start a Coin Collection
What Kind of Coin Collector are You?
Coin Prices Are Not Coin Values
Determining Coin Value
Origin of Coins and Numismatists
What Makes a Collectible Coin?
Commemorative Coins to Add to Your Collection
Foreign Coin Collecting: A Hobby Spanning The Entire World
Gold Coin Collecting as a Financial Investment
Gold Coins Through Time
Old Coin Prices: How Much Should You Pay?
Protecting Old Coin Values
Old Coins of Ancient Greece
Buying a Rare Coin
Rare Coin Collecting: Is It For Everyone?
Don’t be Fooled by Counterfeit Roman Coins
Cleaning Your Silver Coins
Check Your Pocket Change for Valuable Coins
Check Your Pocket Change for Valuable Coins
- Resources -
Antique Mall Success. Information for Antique Mall Dealer's on buying and selling Antiques And Collectibles.
Your Complete Antiques Guide. Indepth GuideBook for those interested in buying, selling or caring for their antiques.
Comparison Shopping for antiques Comparison shopping from among thousands of antiques and collectibles.
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Sign up now to receive your FREE subscription to our newsletter valuable information and eCourses on Antiques and Collectibles
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Copyright © 2006 http://www.antiques-collectible-mall.com | Site Map| Links
Valuable Error Coins
The valuable coins most likely to go unnoticed are error coins. They get passed over because, superficially, they don’t look any different than other coins. Even if you make it a habit to check the dates on your coins, you could easily still miss an error coin. You have to take a closer look.
Error coins are produced when a die miss-strikes a coin blank or has a defect in it. The die may produce a double image on one side of the coin, the images might not line up correctly or there may be a defect mark on the coin. If the mint discovers that a die is creating error coins, of course they correct the problem as quickly as possible. They also try to recover the error coins. So, when error coins do get into circulation they can be quite valuable.
Double Die Errors
Some of the more valuable coins have a slightly doubled image on one side. If the entire image is doubled, it is a double strike. If just part of the image is doubled, however, it is because the double image is on the die that stamps the coin. As you can imagine, these are very rare and valuable coins.
The most valuable double die coin is a 1969 S-Lincoln penny. It is very rare and, if it’s in decent condition, could be worth $35,000 or more. Unfortunately, if you do find one, it’s likely to be a counterfeit. Have it checked by an expert before you get too excited.
Axis Rotation Errors
These errors are actually fairly common in the new State quarters. The images on the obverse (front) and reverse (back) of a coin should be exactly 180° apart. If you hold the coin with the obverse straight upright and rotate it, the reverse should be straight downright. If it’s not, the die wasn’t lined up right. If both sides are straight up (a full 180° rotation), the coin could be worth about $20.00.
Die Defects
Sometimes the die develops a defect that gets stamped onto coins. Two examples of die defects are the 2004-D “Extra Leaf” Wisconsin State quarter, and the 2005-D Speared Bison nickel. A defect in the die for the Wisconsin quarter made an image that looks like the ear of corn on the back of the quarter has an extra leaf. A defect in the nickel die makes it look like there is a spear sticking in the bison between his front and rear legs.
You never know what you might find in your pocket change. There’s probably not a valuable coin there. But you won’t know unless you check it out, will you?
- Information Directory -
Categories
Coin Collecting Home
Collecting American Coins
Starting in American Coin Collecting
Ancient Coins: An Amazing History Lesson
Ancient Coin Collecting: A Look Into Times Past
Pirate’s Treasure and Antique Coins
British Coin Collecting – A Feel of Nostalgia
Seven Canadian Coins Every Collector Should Own
Three Unique Differences in Canadian Coin Collecting
Where to Get a Coin Appraisal
Three Advantages to Coin Collecting For Kids
Coin and Currency Collecting – An Overview
Bidding in an Online Coin Auction
Three Levels of Coin Collecting
What Coin Collecting Accessories Are There?
Coin Collecting Album: Show Off Your Collection
Protecting Your Investment with Coin Collecting Cases
Coins from Coin Collecting Dealer
Coin Collecting Folder: Preserve Your Valuable Collection
Little Collections: Coin Collecting for Children
Coin Collecting Hobby – A Commemorating Passion
Coin Collecting Information Unfolds the Hidden History
Resources in Determining Coin Collecting Prices
How to Start a Coin Collection
What Kind of Coin Collector are You?
Coin Prices Are Not Coin Values
Determining Coin Value
Origin of Coins and Numismatists
What Makes a Collectible Coin?
Commemorative Coins to Add to Your Collection
Foreign Coin Collecting: A Hobby Spanning The Entire World
Gold Coin Collecting as a Financial Investment
Gold Coins Through Time
Old Coin Prices: How Much Should You Pay?
Protecting Old Coin Values
Old Coins of Ancient Greece
Buying a Rare Coin
Rare Coin Collecting: Is It For Everyone?
Don’t be Fooled by Counterfeit Roman Coins
Cleaning Your Silver Coins
Check Your Pocket Change for Valuable Coins
Check Your Pocket Change for Valuable Coins
- Resources -
Antique Mall Success. Information for Antique Mall Dealer's on buying and selling Antiques And Collectibles.
Your Complete Antiques Guide. Indepth GuideBook for those interested in buying, selling or caring for their antiques.
Comparison Shopping for antiques Comparison shopping from among thousands of antiques and collectibles.
- Newsletter -
Sign up now to receive your FREE subscription to our newsletter valuable information and eCourses on Antiques and Collectibles
Name:
Email Address:
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2006 http://www.antiques-collectible-mall.com | Site Map| Links
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