Silver Commemoratives - Collecting Value

Posted by Jason Smith at 14 January, 2009, 4:10 pm. 1,200 views
Categories: Jason's Blog, U.S. Coinage

The Silver Commemorative series is a true “collector” series in that most people who are drawn to this group are not coin traders or investors. Commem lovers have a deep appreciation for the historical appeal, detailed artwork, and ease of finding and collecting a majority of the series. With a broad range of popular Americans, famous events, and places, there is a Silver Commem that appeals to almost everyone. This is a very affordable series to collect as well with most issues currently valued at under $250 in mint state 64-65 range. By comparing individual prices to total mintage you will discover a value factor that is hard to beat.  As far as appreciation goes though, commems can be characterized as “numismatic bonds”.  Their downside is very limited, but growth is a long, slow process.  That’s why you have to really fall in love with the coins themselves in order to stick with collecting them over time.  Many Silver Commem collectors work on the 50 coin type set, but more advanced collectors add each date and mint mark to compile the complete 144 piece set. PCGS and NCG have registry sets for not just these, but also smaller sub sets including the Arkansas, Boone, Oregon, Texas, Booker T. Washington, and Washington & Carver series.
1935 50c Texas NGC/CAC MS671935 50c Texas NGC/CAC MS67

I personally like the Texas Centennial Commem series (13-total date/mints) and have compiled 4 complete sets in different grades over the years and enjoyed putting them together each time.  Finding the perfect coin (the right look, grade, holder, and price) makes building the set challenging and rewarding.  I urge all collectors to review Silver Commemoratives as I’m sure there will be at least one that will peak your interest, if not the entire series!

Jason


Related Posts

Comments

savvybarb August 17, 2009

Hi Jason,
Thanks for your article.
I agree that this is the most undervalued area of coin collecting. Yes, there are many, many beautiful, well detailed, coins in the whole series.
I became interested in the commem’s when the state quarters were first introduced. I started a “State” collection of old commem’s. I thought it would really be neat to have a quarter and a half dollar from each state. Of course every state did not have a commem half. But I have collected all that do and have some fine encap examples that grade as high as ms66.
As you mention, the Oregon and Texas are just examples of really beautiful coins and they can still be gotten in high grades for what is comparitive little money.
The whole series is a bargain.
Sincerely,
Saverio Barbieri

Leave a comment