What is the TRUE value of commemorative coins?
Commemorative coins are issued by the Royal Mint to celebrate a national event of significant importance.
1981 Royal Wedding Charles Diana Commemorative Crown: Issued to mark the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, it is the first ever Royal Wedding commemorative coin (pictured below). 1994 Gold Proof 50p piece: Issued to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy landings in World War Two, it is slightly bigger at 30mm diameter. Circulating commemorative coins have been somewhat more unusual in the United States. These are coins that are minted to commemorate a particular person, place, event, or institution, but are intended to enter general circulation. The first circulating commemorative coin of the United States was the 1921 Peace dollar. May 07, 2020 The data below provides sales figures for modern commemorative coins (1982 through present programs) by product options and total coins sold. Cumulative figures are updated yearly. For current figures, consult the weekly cumulative sales data. Data includes final sales figures, and most recent sales figures for current and ongoing programs as. To search an expression, simply put quotation marks around it. Example: A search for '1 franc' is more precise than 1 franc. You may use an asterisk as a wildcard. Example: type '5 cent.' to find coins of 5 cents and 5 centimes. Use a dash to exclude the coins.
In most cases, but not exclusively, the proceedings are royal occasions such as a Diamond Jubilee or Royal Wedding.
Rarely are these coins found in everyday circulation, as they’re intended to be sold as souvenirs.
In this commemorative coins’ value guide, we’ll examine five key areas:
- The 3 different types of commemorative coins
- Are they legal tender?
- Do commemorative coins have any value?
- Notable commemorative coins issued in the UK
- Are they a good investment?
What are the different types of commemorative coins?
Commemorative coins remain popular with collectors, both in the UK and around the world.
Usually, no matter which Mint they have been issued by, these coins fall into one of three broad categories:
Common everyday currency: In the UK, this would be the 50p, £1 and £2 commemorative coins that are in active circulation. As with other everyday coins, these tend to be made from base metals.
Non-circulating legal tender: Older coins – like Sovereigns and Crowns and more modern £5 coins – that are cast from a base metal or precious metal. In theory, they could circulate but they don’t because their ‘spot’ value or collectable value is significantly higher than their legal tender issue price.
Tokens and souvenirs: ‘Proof’ commemorative coins minted from precious metals like gold and silver, which are not legal tender. Due to their limited numbers, these can be more sought-after by collectors.
Are commemorative coins legal tender?
In the UK, the definition of 'legal tender' is often misunderstood.
According to UK law, all coins made by The Royal Mint are classed as legal tender, whether they are commemorative coins or those in circulation.
In truth, it does not mean they can be accepted by banks, shops or businesses for cash transactions.
The term ‘legal tender’ allows UK coins to be accepted for payment of debts in court.
However, only ‘circulating legal tender coins’ can be spent and traded with banks or a business.
Banks, building societies and shops are NOT obliged to accept commemorative coins – and never have been – as they are not circulating legal tender.
Some banks do accept them at their own discretion, but this is unlikely.
Where can you cash commemorative coins?
Most large Post Offices will offer to cash in commemorative coins if you really want to dispose of them in this way.
Some banks do accept them at their own discretion, but this is unlikely.
However, before heading down either of these routes it’s wise to get an accurate coin valuation.
In our experience,a commemorative coins’ value usually lies in the fact it’s a collectable item.
If it’s rare, it will probably be worth far more than its face value.
Non-circulating commemorative coins are particularly sought after and treasured by collectors for their aesthetic appeal or rarity value.
Do commemorative coins have any value?
When it comes to the value of commemorative coins, there’s no hard and fast rule which can be applied.
As we’ve already touched upon, a commemorative coins’ value will be much higher than its face value if it’s rare.
Non-circulating commemorative coins are particularly sought after by collectors due to their aesthetic appeal or rarity value.
When calculating the value of a commemorative coin, our experts always consider the following factors:
- Condition – proof issue, uncirculated etc.
- Year of mintage
- Mint mark
- Minting errors
- Today’s bullion value
In our experience, coins which have been minted to celebrate specific events tend to be more popular with both collectors and the public.
However, everyday commemorative coins can quickly become a collector’s item due to lack of availability through natural wastage.
Those with Mint errors can also prove to be a shrewd investment, such as the 50p coin issued to mark the 2012 Olympic swimming event.
When the original design was altered to improve the appearance of the subject’s face, 600 of the original design mistakenly entered circulation.
For non-circulating legal tender and bullion coins, the precious metals from which they have been struck already exceed their face value.
The fact they are legal tender and exempt from CGT only adds further to their value, making them attractive to both coin collectors and investors.
Click now to discover if gold sovereigns are a good investment!
A recent example of this is the Commemorative 2012 Double Sovereign, struck in solid 22 Carat Gold to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This coin contains a pure gold content more than two hundred times its £2 face value.
However, it’s important to remember that not all commemorative coins are made equal.
Some which are struck from precious metals to a ‘Proof’ finish are often sold for more than their bullion worth, even when boxed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Notable commemorative coins issued in the UK
Commemorative coins collectors can enjoy plenty of choice – as different versions tend to be produced every year.
Below are some of the most notable, though not necessarily valuable, commemorative coins issued by The Royal Mint in the UK.
1935 George V Silver Crown: Issued to mark the Silver Jubilee of George V, this is the first commemorative Crown ever struck. It is commonly referred to as the ‘Rocking Horse’ Crown due to its art deco interpretation of the traditional St George and the Dragon coin design.
1953 Queen’s Coronation 5 Shilling Crown: Issued in 1953 to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation, this coin has a face value of 25p but is worth far more to a collector.
1965 Sir Winston Churchill Commemorative Crown: Issued to mark the death of the famous statesman, the 1965 Churchill Crown is the first British coin to feature a person outside the Royal Family. It was also the first Crown coin issued without a denomination since 1902.
1972 Silver Wedding Anniversary Commemorative Crown: Issued in 1972 to mark the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
1977 Queens Silver Jubilee Commemorative Crown: Issued in 1977, to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II achieving her Silver Jubilee.
1980 Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday Commemorative Crown: Issued in 1980 to celebrate the birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
1981 Royal Wedding Charles Diana Commemorative Crown: Issued to mark themarriage ofPrince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, it is the first ever Royal Wedding commemorative coin (pictured below).
1994 Gold Proof 50p piece: Issued to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Normandy landings in World War Two, itis slightly bigger at 30mm diameter and contains more gold than current issues.
1994 Gold Double Sovereign: Issued to mark the Bank of England’s 200th anniversary, this coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax due to being legal tender, making it a popular choice for British investors.
2011 Royal Wedding Gold £5 Proof Crown: Issued in 2011 to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Are commemorative coins a good investment?
Acquiring commemorative coins can deliver a degree of personal satisfaction. After all, they’re an attractive item to have on display.
From an investment point of view, they’re not always great value. Sometimes they appreciate in value, but they often don’t.
Usually you can buy them on the secondary market for less than they were originally sold by the Royal Mint.
In comparison, a genuine numismatic coin will stand far more chance of increasing in value. This is because rare coins, which are typically made from gold or silver, have an intrinsic value as a precious metal. Over time, this value often goes up.
Numismatic coins also tend to be worth considerably more if they are scarce or enjoyed a lower mintage rate.
If you own a commemorative coin and would like to receive a free expert valuation, please get in touch or call 01926 499031 for an informal discussion.
Congress authorizes commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although these coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. Each commemorative coin is produced by the United States Mint in limited quantity and is only available for a limited time.
Commemorative Coins Worth
As well as commemorating important aspects of American history and culture, these coins help raise money for important causes. Part of the price of these coins is a surcharge that goes to organizations and projects that benefit the community. For example, surcharges on the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center commemorative coins helped build a new visitor center under the U.S. Capitol’s East Plaza.
Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised more than $506,301,189 in surcharges to help build new museums, maintain national monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, preserve historical sites like George Washington’s home, support various Olympic programs, and much more.
Watch the videos in this playlist to learn more about our commemorative coin programs.
Commemorative Coin Programs
2021 Commemorative Coins
2020 Commemorative Coins
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Are Commemorative Coins Worth Anything
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Compliance Procedures for Surcharge Eligibility and Payments
Commemorative Coins 1935
Commemorative coin programs are created by enabling legislation enacted by Congress to honor a person, place or event. The enabling legislation dictates the coin specifications, mintages, cost considerations, and surcharge amount to be collected. A surcharge is a set amount per coin that the Mint collects and distributes to the designated recipient organization which must use the proceeds for the purpose(s) specified in the enabling legislation. Historically, the Mint has been required to pay surcharges to recipients whether or not all the Mint’s program costs were recovered and without any accountability requirements for the recipient organization. In 1996, Congress enacted legislation changing the Mint’s requirement to pay surcharges.