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 Replies: 20 / Views: 4,242 |
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Valued Member
United States
424 Posts |
My knowledge of commemorative US coins is very lacking, so now I have some questions. Are all of the modern US commemorative dollars silver? If not then which ones are clad? Is the silver content 0.7735 of an ounce per coin? (I can do the math if someone answers with how many grams there are, but please be easy on my old worn out mind). Are there any crazy priced key dates? By crazy price I mean any price above $250 give or take a few dollars. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12253 Posts |
Hope the following helps:
1. Yes, all modern US commemorative dollars are silver.
2. The modern dollars are 90% silver and weigh 26.730 grams; this equates to 24.057 grams of silver. A troy ounce is 31.1035 grams, so 24.057 / 31.1035 = 0.7735 troy ounces. (As you've already noted.)
3. The Uncirculated versions of the modern dollars generally have a higher market price vs. the Proof versions. The most expensive Uncs in the series are the 1996 (not 1995) dollars from the Atlanta Olympics. These coins once commanded $300+ each. The prices have come down significantly, however, and the coins can now be found for under $200 with some patience; price assumes either coins in OGP or graded MS-69. The 2001 American Buffalo dollar generally sells for $150+ in either Unc or Proof. All other dollars of the series can be found for less.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Valued Member
 United States
424 Posts |
Thank you commems, that is just the information that I need. Bit by bit I am building my knowledge of commemorative coins.
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New Member
United States
33 Posts |
This is a good topic as I like and collect some US modern Comm Coins but also because I've always been a little confused as to why no commems have been issued in certain years (Well, I suppose 1985 is the only year).
Commems, as far as I know, do need Congressional authorization. But this authorization isn't particularly onerous from what I gather. And so one would reasonably think that a country as prosperous as the US with a national mint as capable as the US MInt would have no problem whatsoever releasing at least 1 (if not several) commem dollars every year. Now of course in some years, several commems were released but I'm mystified as to why in 1985, no commem was issued.
Edited by CoinsA-Z
09/07/2016 09:10 am
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Valued Member
United States
81 Posts |
Back in 1985, the re-birth of the abused commemorative coins programs from the 1950s and before was just beginning. Silver GW halves were issued in 1982, and a two year Olympic program, featuring a lot of different coins, was issued in 1983-84. It was not taken for granted then, as it is now, that commems had to be issued each year. Beginning with the Statute of Liberty coins in 1986, Constitution in 1987, both of which sold VERY well (in the millions, which no commem program today even comes close to touching), it was decided that commems should once again be an annual offering.
At least, we are now limited to 2 programs per year. And while it isn't tough to get two authorized, there is often competition among different ideas to be one of the two.
It remains to be seen whether the low mintage issues of today will ever become valuable, or whether the idea of coin collecting will die off, and with it, the ability to sell even rare modern coins for a premium. Right now, commems are fun to collect, and have a low barrier to entry. You don't need to be an expert in identifying cleaned coins or altered surfaces -- most modern commems will be essentially perfect. Also, you can pick up many interesting and well-designed issues for not much over melt. And if the coin-market tanks, you at least have a Precious Metal backup. But all that being said, I would NOT recommend these coins as investments.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12253 Posts |
@CoinsA-Z, some background:
Yes, all US commemorative coin programs need to be approved by Congress and signed into law by the President.
Current law limits the number of commemorative coin programs to a maximum of two per year. Each program can have multiple coins (e.g., gold $5, silver $1 and clad $0.50), but Congress can only authorize two programs for each calendar year.
Getting a commemorative coin authorized by Congress is not a simple or easy matter. Though a good number of coin bills are introduced each session of Congress, most do not gain much traction and are not seriously considered for passage. The ratio of failed to successful coin proposals can easily be 10:1 or higher in a given session of Congress.
Regarding no issue in 1985.
The modern US commemorative program was launched in 1982 with the George Washington half dollar. It was followed by the LA Olympics program of 1983-84. Though the programs were released in consecutive years, they were each approved by the 97th Congress (within months of each other). The Olympics program was hotly debated and created some angst in Congress about the restart of commemorative coinage in general.
A few bills were introduced in Congress that could have led to 1985 releases, but Congress took a bit of a breather and did not approve another program until the Statue of Liberty bill was introduced.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
09/07/2016 09:59 am
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Moderator
United States
187671 Posts |
Excellent information, commems.  |
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New Member
United States
33 Posts |
Thanks commems ..... are you stating that because there was debate about the Olympics program that this led Congress to decide to scrap all plans to approve one of the 1985 programs that were introduced?
If true, these Legislators come across as a bunch of panties in a bunch immature adolescents.
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Valued Member
United States
81 Posts |
Actually, the debate in Congress was not so much about the coins, but the merchandising of them. Some wanted them to be sold by professional promoters, instead of the USM, which they viewed would increase sales, and maximize profits for the USOC (the beneficiary of the surcharge). The Mint was not then accustomed to selling a high volume of coins to the public.
It is interesting to consider this debate in hindsight, where merchandisers still do purchase a large quantity of certain low-mintage issues for re-sale, and other issues are available to wholesalers for a small discount.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1027 Posts |
The two commem limit is why the mint turned to striking silver medals in 2003 for the NWF series, which were struct on proof silver dollar planchets. They later turned to striking medals on ASE planchets, like this year's American Liberty medals. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
424 Posts |
GR58 you have inspired me. I like the look of the Lincoln dollar, if I recall correctly it was offered in a set with the 2009 centennial cents. I think I will put this on my 'must buy' list.
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Valued Member
United States
384 Posts |
Why would you not recommend this for investment purposes?
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Valued Member
United States
81 Posts |
Jolteon --
Not sure what "this" refers to, but coins in general are a very risky investment strategy. The modern American commemorative series is at a very low price point right now. Will it go lower still? More important, will it ever bounce back?
Basically, thinking of coins as investments us a mistake.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12253 Posts |
@GR58: Always nice to see images of your modern commemorative silver dollars - thanks for taking the time to share!
@Jolteon: Agree with others that one needs to tread carefully if they are looking to "invest" in coins. The reality is that the vast majority of coins -- circulation or NCLT -- are not good investments. They should be purchased only for the joy of collecting.
The coins that tend to show noticeable market value increases are generally the key coins within a series (only a small percentage of the overall coins in a series) and true numismatic rarities. Most other coins struggle to keep up with annual inflation increases. It's true that some modern coins go up in value soon after their release due to exaggerated hype, but they almost all trend back to less impressive values.
Enjoy the hobby but don't expect more from your coins than they can provide.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I agree .. most coins are not a good investment. For these ... some of the very common commemorative dollars can be bought cheaper than Morgan dollars. --------- Then look at what funds you use. Maybe buy a commemorative dollar .. or Morgan dollar, instead of buying a bottle of Captain Morgan rum. Do that for years and years. When your much older .. you be more healthy, from not drinking to much rum. And you will have accumulated value in silver dollars.  Just another way to look at building wealth. |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 4,242 |
Posted 09/07/2016 07:25 am
