How Are Modern Commemoratives Born?

Sometimes there are public contests for designs. Like most of the State Quarters were contests sponsored by the state legislatures.

A private citizen could get a idea going for a commemorative coin. All they would have to do is work with their local representative to prepare a bill for there to be a coin for certain event. As long as it's for a nationally significant event it's possible. There will never be one for a towns centennial again. There might not even be one for a state. Like there might not ever be another for like Illinois there could be for the celebration of the northwest terroritories that became several Midwestern states and had a huge impact on how territories became states.

There is one thing working against you though. There is only allowed to be two a year. So there are a lot of competing worthy causes most won't get off the drawing board. Working on the plans for Indiana's bicentenial I wish there could be a coin but just won't happen.

You need an idea and a congressional sponsor. It takes a law.

I would say that all the ideas for modern US commemorative coins come from the "general public" but typically the "general public" is in the form of an established historical/educational/civic organization vs. an individual.

US commemorative coins generally follow these steps to go from concept to issued coin:

- A group/organization trying to mark an important anniversary or current event decides that a commemorative coin struck to mark their event would be an effective fundraising tool. (The potential money raised through the sale of a US commemorative is very attractive for many groups/organizations!)

- One or more representatives of the group approach one or more US Senators or US Representatives to enlist support in their coin objective.

- An agreeable Senator/Representative introduces a bill in Congress to have the coin struck by the US Mint.

- The coin is almost always referred from the Senate or House floor to the appropriate coinage Committee for further discussion.

- If the bill is supported by the Committee, it is reported back to the full House/Senate for potential further debate and/or vote.

- Once a coin bill is approved by vote of the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President for signature.

- If the President approves, he signs the bill into Public Law and the US Mint is then required to strike the coins.


This process can take just a few months or several years depending on the appropriateness of the person/place/event being commemorated and the support within Congress for the cause. Some coin proposals need to be introduced in multiple Congresses before they gain any traction.


Are you thinking of proposing a gold Peace dollar commemorative for its centennial in 2021?

That would be nice, Bertensgrad.

I've run this by a few people, and all have said its a good idea. Of course that means nothing. But here goes. 2021 is the 100fh anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknowns. I think it's worthy. I don't know of too many more iconic scenes than the guards walking the mat and the changing of the guards.

What do you think?

Thanks for the info, commems. I was wondering which would be the best approach, through Arlington or Tomb Guard. I am familiar with the Society of the Honor Guard. My uncle was a Tomb Guard in the 1950s.