Commemorative+Coins

 Commemorative & Elongated Coins Brandi Pick, Caitlin Siewertsen, & Travis Wingfield



Information on Commemorative Coins: Commemorative coins are coins that were issued to commemorate some particular event or issue. Most world commemorative coins were issued from the 1960s onward, although there are numerous examples of commemorative coins of earlier date. Such coins have a distinct design with reference to the occasion on which they were issued. Many coins of this category serve as collectors items only, although some countries are also issuing commemorative coins for regular circulation. Vast numbers of thematic coins are continuously being issued, highlighting ancient monuments or sites, historical personalities, endangered species etc. While such thematic coins may or may not commemorate any particular event or jubilee, the distinction between commemorative coins and thematic coins is often blurred or ignored.

Coins have played an important role in the economy and commerce of human societies. Other than their economic value, coins have been issued to mark certain important events in a country. Such coins are called commemorative coins. These coins have a distinct pattern or design that sets them apart from other coins in circulation. Whereas some are meant for general use, some are minted specifically as a remembrance of a landmark event, which at times are sold at high premiums to numismatists. Such coins hold special interest among collectors who pride themselves for having a souvenir of significant events in the history of mankind.

 The Columbian Half Dollar:  The Columbian Half Dollar was minted exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint. A bill was passed on August 5, 1892 allowing no more than 5,000,000 to be produced for the fair. Mintage began on November 19, 1892. Mintage for the 1892 Half Dollar numbered around 950,000. Mintage for the 1893 Half Dollar numbered 4,052,105; however 2,501,700 were returned to the mint for melting.

Strikes numbered 103 in 1892. Three of them were the 400th, 1,492nd and 1,892nd coins struck by the mint. These were in recognition of the 400th anniversary of the discovering of America, the year America was discovered, and the year of the anniversary. An unknown amount of coins were retained for testing in 1892, and 2,105 were retained for assay testing in 1893. The first struck half-dollar proof was bought by the //Remington Typewriter Company//, in a publicity stunt which garnered attention during the Exposition, for $10,000. The proofs were distributed to dignitaries and other Exposition officials. An unknown quantity of half-dollars were used as finance against loans made to the Exposition by banks. When the Exposition failed to repay the debits, the banks dumped the coins into circulation. Coins were sold at the exposition for one dollar

The Isabella Coin:

The Columbian Exposition Isabella coin, commonly referred to as the Isabella quarter, was minted as a result of a petition made by Board of Lady Managers of the Columbian Exposition for a souvenir quarter. It honors Queen Isabella of Spain who sponsored Columbus' travels that ended in the colonization of America. The Board of Lady Managers was formed at the urging of Susan B. Anthony to coordinate and oversee the women's activities and exhibits at Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

The coin was designed by **Charles E. Barber**. The obverse depicts the crowned bust of Isabella of Spain. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is lettered around the perimeter with the 1893 date to the right of the portrait and conforming to the curve of AMERICA. Symbolizing women's industry, the reverse shows a kneeling woman with a distaff in her left hand and a spindle in her right hand. BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS is lettered around the upper perimeter with COLUMBIAN QUAR. DOL. around the lower perimeter. Only a small quantity of these coins were sold at the Exposition at $1 per coin. This was the first commemorative quarter issued by the United States and is the only coin to depict a woman on both sides.

 
 * __Elongated Coins__** are coins that have been elongated (flattened or stretched) and embossed with a new design with the purpose of creating a commemorative or souvenir token. The collecting of elongated coins is a branch of numismatics. Elongated coins can also be categorized as exonumia.



The first elongated coins in the United States were created at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois held in 1893. Several designs were issued to commemorate the Fair, and are available in the elongated coin collecting community today. The earliest elongated coin designer on record is Charles Damm, who created the design for the elongated coins available at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The most well-known and prolific engraver is Frank Brazzel. Brazzel died in the early 1990s, but many of his designs are still being rolled today on his original dies. He helped establish many rollers (those who roll elongated coins) in their businesses. Another of the most famous engravers is Jim Dundon of Florida. His designs, and those of his son, James, can be found across the USA. The hobby of collecting elongated coins has expanded throughout the United States and the world. Most modern coin elongating machines can be found in museum or landmark gift shops, souvenir stores, zoos, amusement parks and other locations of this kind. Private engravers make special-issue elongated coins to commemorate historical events, personal landmarks (such as marriage or birth of a child), or other events warranting celebration. They also design elongated coins for private clubs and organizations.

**Sources: __ [] __ http://www.freewebs.com/donadamselongateds/ http://www.exonumia.com/Sale10/elongat.htm http://www.lucoba.nl/img/elongated_coins.jpg http://www.coinfacts.com/commemoratives/half_dollar_commems/bay_bridge.htm http://www.centralbank.ie/ncn_comm.asp http://www.mas.gov.sg/news_room/press_releases/2005/MAS_Launches_NUS_Commemorative_Coins.html ** ** [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commemorative_coin__]  []  []  [] ** [] [] [] [] []