A Guide To Commemorative Coins

By Chris Channing

Anyone who has experience with collecting or investing in coins should keep a keen eye on the commemorative coin industry. These coins celebrate special events, occasions, and time periods that nations deem worthy to remember through specializing currency with the theme. But to obtain maximum effect of investment, collectors should not some differences in commemorative coins.

First to distinguish between commemorative coins is the possibility of using the coins as legal tender. While most commemorative coins are indeed for collecting only, and not intended for use in commerce, there are instances where they can be used in everyday purchases regardless. But because such coins are often worth more than their face value, investors should never use commemorative coins as legal tender.

Investors who seek to invest in commemorative coins may not get the best return on investment with coins approved for circulation as legal tender. Legal tender will almost never have real gold, silver, or other metals that are of value. This is due to the fact that legal tender has to be mass produced, and isn't subject to much actual worth. In that case, investors will only see returns on investment years after the commemorative coins are put out of circulation.

Commemorative coins will commonly feature gold, silver, and proofs as a way of making them valuable. This entices investors into purchasing the coins so as to give more security in the sense that they are protecting their investment. In economic crises like some countries are facing currently, gold commemorative coins are worth much more on the market than what many were bought for in the past. This is a clear example of how the fun of coin collecting can turn into an ample return on investment.

It's good to note that commemorative coins are usually issued by governments to raise extra money, and thus, there is usually to return on investment to be found in short term situations. But as coin collectors probably already well know, the real value in coin collecting comes with the aging process. If a coin collector had bought a commemorative coin several decades ago, it'd be worth much more than what was paid for it at the time.

It's nice to have a commemorative coins lying around, even if the average consumer doesn't collect coins as a hobby. After all, time and history shows that the general price of gold and silver has increased over the decades. In that sense, obtaining commemorative coins can be seen as an investment that will pay off more and more each day a coin is maintained in great condition.

Final Thoughts

Collectors and investors alike are flocking to commemorative coins for a simple reason- they're great to have around both as an investment and as a decorative item. They make for great conversations, remembrance of history, and serves as a means to help one's own country through patriotism. Obtaining a commemorative coin is usually as easy as searching the Internet for leads, although contacting local government officials can also supply more information on the subject.