The Coin Analyst: Have Circulating Commemorative Programs Outlasted Their Welcome?
A
major new bill that will create several new series of circulating commemorative quarters and other coins has just become law. Unfortunately, it risks repeating several of the mistakes of other recent coin programs of this type.
In the annals of American numismatics, many circulating coin programs have played a key role in stimulating greater interest in the hobby and increasing the ranks of collectors. This includes, of course, coins such as
Lincoln cents,
Washington quarters, and
Walking Liberty half dollars, among others – sets of which at one time could be started, and in some cases completed, from circulation.