Who Collects Commemorative Coins ?

No question that some of the designs are great on Commemoratives. I forget what it is but the platinum coin (I think you can get it in silver as well) close up of the Statue of Liberty's face is one of the coolest looking designs ever. I wish it was used for a circulated coin. To me however, I dont get the thrill (yet) of purchacing a brand new coin in mint shape, it seems too easy. Now if it was 75 years old and STILL in mint shape, that is a different story. Like I said, if that is what you like, cool.........As long as we keep the coin hobby alive, that is all that matters.

Some classic commems were actually circulated, although usually pretty lightly. Many people collect AU commems, which offer a combination of affordability and the coolness of having a circulated commem.

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Originally posted by Kerry67

No question that some of the designs are great on Commemoratives. I forget what it is but the platinum coin (I think you can get it in silver as well) close up of the Statue of Liberty's face is one of the coolest looking designs ever. I wish it was used for a circulated coin. To me however, I dont get the thrill (yet) of purchacing a brand new coin in mint shape, it seems too easy. Now if it was 75 years old and STILL in mint shape, that is a different story. Like I said, if that is what you like, cool.........As long as we keep the coin hobby alive, that is all that matters.

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Regarding coin collecting, the exuberance of youth will wear off someday Kerry and you will look back and say,"Man I really blew a good chance when I was younger".
Berry

I think some of the early commems have the coolest designs....thats why I will buy them. Also, in relation to quantities minted can be just as hard to attain as some circulated series.

My first commemorative is the San Fransisco Mint UNC silver dollar, I picked up two, one for my personal collection and one to sell in 15 or so years.

Down the road I want to get my father the 2005 Marine Crops Silver dollar, as he was a Marine Officer for 23 years.

I collect both and the earlier Commemoratives aren't that easy to find anymore so the challenge remains in finding them...some also have history of ownership (Pedigrees if you will). While most of my interest and my collection is in ciruclated coins, my Commens collection is growing in leaps and bounds.

I also don't understand the interest in commemoratives; although, I can appreciate the divergence in collectors' interest. There is no doubt that some of the designs are breathtaking. And, In my attempts to understand this, I'm in no way trying to dissuade or or put down the collecting of commems. I'm merely trying to understand. The way I see it is the mint recognizes a "market" and targets a product to take advantage of coin collectors. Or, perhaps the mint creates the market and takes full advantage of it. I also collect old advertising signs, particularly soda. However, I would never collect a modern reproduction or "fantasy" piece that never was produced for use. To me coin collecting is all about coins that were actually used in circulation. It is too easy to pump out a commem. for anything the minters want, limiting production, and insuring rarity. The only people that know about or care about commems. are coin collectors; the average person doesn't even know they exist and will never come across them in their lifetime. Please help me understand!