Commemoratives (School me on them)

Commemoratives are near and dear to me. I have quite a few. The 82 Washington half is 90%. After that, i think all the halves went to clad. There may be one or two that are silver.

I would not worry about the investment aspect of collecting them. Just because a lot of people aren't interested in them right now, should be all the more reason to get your hands on them. If they're cheaper because of it, enjoy it! If everybody was going nuts buying them, driving the prices through the roof, then you would want them all and may only be able to get a few.

My favorite half designs that I used for the four spots in my Intercept Shield US type set are a toned, 1892 Columbian half (the first commems the mint produced), a MS-64 1920 Pilgrim that I cracked out of a PCGS holder (this one was $140, beautiful commem), a 1982 Washington and a 2008 Bald eagle commem. half. I liked the bald eagle half so much I got it in PF70 and MS70. I have the '08 Bald eagle 3 coin set in PF70s. If there was a fifth spot in the type set, I'd probably go with an Oregon trail.

Many will say they're common and affordable in high grades, but I assure you, they aren't just giving them away. Especially the older ones. There's a huge selection and they can be one of the more gratifying purchases to walk away from a show with.

 

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That's quite an interesting analogy Gboulton, but as with all things, there is always a market out there for something. And while the market for puppy dung may be rather exclusive, I'm sure that someone is probably making a profit on the end product. Heck, as a matter of fact we've got an enterprising young fellow around here who specializes in the removal of said product and advertises it on his car as he rides around our area......"always on doody". I think he's rather successful at the moment.

But I wouldn't analogize Classic Commems in quite the same way, except for the fact that it's a dirty job and someone's got to do it....someones got to collect 'em. I see them more from an historical stand point. Illini420's story about the Stone Mountain commemoritve is but just one of many interesting stories behind these interesting pieces. Having only recently entered the collecting arena regarding them, I'm quite satisfied that I can begin a collection without a major financial outlay. I've lusted after classics since I was a young lad. The feeling that I can afford these now, at reasonable prices, is quite satisfying. Oh, and as to the comment that some have made about these issues not circulating? Well, Dwhiz has a fine example of one of these NCLT coins.

A few of mine.......

 

Yeah, well, the thread needed a light-hearted moment or two

Well sure...but then again, that's really kinda "proving the point". Notice, it's not the rare but undesirable item (dog dung) that's increased in value....the value is in the rare DESIRABLE item...the man who will pick up dog dung.

LOL Fair enough.

Agreed in all regards. And, in all seriousness, I did not mean to equate commems with dog dung, and apologize if the analogy came across that way.

I have begun collecting them myself, as I mentioned above...and I find them fascinating for just the reasons we've both mentioned. The history of the coins themselves, as well as the chance to learn about the event or individual they commemorate, make them one of the more rewarding types in our hobby, in my opinion. Indeed, the existence of the half I pictured, as well as the Educational Series paper notes issued shortly thereafter to "document" the expo (so to speak) are responsible for me even knowing the Expo ever occurred...and now I find it one of the most interesting events I've ever studied.

You're quite correct, and I did indeed phrase that poorly. A set of coins never intended to circulate would have been more correct.

Stunning examples in their own right. Thanks for sharing those!

 

Additionally, David Bowers did a book on classic commemoratives as well. Actually, the Bowers and the Swiatek/Breen book are in a group lot for Kolbe and Fanning's Sept 15 auction. I was just going over the catalog last night and circled that as a maybe. If anyone was going to bid on it let me know and I will back off it, (I have PLENTY of other items I need to bid on anyway, too many actually).

Chris

 

Actually, you had me ROTFLMAO........

 

Old commemoratives are BIG thing!

 

Some of the gold commemoratives also have some beautiful designs. The Pan Pac $50 is an awesome design but will always be a dream.

 

With modern commemorative halves there are only two dates that are 90% silver. Those are 1982 and 1993. I collect modern commemorative halves also. Only raw though when I can find them. I couldn't convince myself slabbed modern commemorative coins were worth the added expense. I also want them in an album. I feel commemorative coins were made for albums or vice versa.

Some of the modern commemorative coins can be found in Prestige sets. I try to buy these to offset the cost of the half. The prestige set comes with the proof versions of the commemorative coins for that year. So, that means a silver dollar. Sold along with any proof coins I don't want. Of course the circulated version of the half would have to be purchased separately. This, of course, is only one way to find them on the cheaper.

I like the designs of older commemorative halves better. I just can't justify the cost of the coins for a complete collection. Except for the Texas commemorative. I have thought about getting every Texas commemorative half to make as a complete collection(12). Those I would want slabbed. I believe these to be reasonably priced in MS grades. And I'm sorta partial to the Lone Star state.

 

I have just recently begun exploring these old silver commens. I agree with what others have said: beautiful designs, many interesting stories and history, and relatively easy to find. I like that I can find them in blast white, toned, or with a grey patina. On some of the designs the circulated old silver look really accentuates the design.

I have no idea what they will be worth in the end but for now they are fun.

 

I'm really enjoying putting together the 40 piece type set. I'm doing the type set rather than the full date and mint set mostly because I don't want 14 Washington/Carvers and 18 Booker T. Washingtons.

I might do the Oregon Trail series after I finish the type set.

Also, is everybody aware that this is a 5 year old thread that got resurrected? And commems are still kind of asleep.

 

Commems are really interesting coins. Thus far, I only have the 37D Texas but I've been on the lookout for a Stone Mountain. Read the complete history of that one.

 

I didn't notice the date. Threads on commemorative coins are hard to come by around here. The thread to post modern commemorative coins in was started in 2013 and only has 3 pages. Maybe more like 2 1/2 pages. The post your 1892-1954 commemorative coins thread started in 2010 and only has 13 pages.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/post-your-commemorative-half-dollars-1892-1954.120365/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/post-your-modern-commemoratives.238153/

 

Why collect commem halves when you can collect commem silver dollars? If you do, stick with the BU's, as they have lower mintages and generally perform better.