Modern commemoratives tend to be restricted to events and personalities of national or international importance.
While silver dollars remain the traditional denomination, low-value circulating commemoratives have gained in popularity.
Modern Commemorative Coins
1989 U.S. Congress Bicentennial Coins
Congress Bicentennial Gold $5
Year: 1989
Obverse: The Capital Dome.
Reverse: Eagle atop a canopy overlooking the Old Senate Building.
Congress Bicentennial Silver Dollar
Year: 1989
Obverse: Statue of Freedom.
Reverse: The Mace of the House of Representatives.
Congress Bicentennial Half Dollar
Year: 1989
Obverse: Bust of the Statue of Freedom.
Reverse: Full view of the Capitol Building surrounded by a wreath of stars.
Congress Bicentennial Gold $5
Year: 1989
Obverse: The Capital Dome.
Reverse: Eagle atop a canopy overlooking the Old Senate Building.
Congress Bicentennial Silver Dollar
Year: 1989
Obverse: Statue of Freedom.
Reverse: The Mace of the House of Representatives.
Congress Bicentennial Half Dollar
Year: 1989
Obverse: Bust of the Statue of Freedom.
Reverse: Full view of the Capitol Building surrounded by a wreath of stars.
1988 U.S. Olympic (Seoul) Coins
Olympics (Seoul) Gold $5
Year: 1988
Obverse: Picture of Nike, goddess of victory, in a wreath of olive leaves.
Reverse: Olympic flame.
Olympics (Seoul) Silver Dollar
Year: 1988
Obverse: Lady Liberty's torch and the Olympic Torch merging into a single symbolic flame with olive branches encircling the torches.
Reverse: Five-ring logo of the U.S. Olympic Committee, framed olive branches.
Olympics (Seoul) Gold $5
Year: 1988
Obverse: Picture of Nike, goddess of victory, in a wreath of olive leaves.
Reverse: Olympic flame.
Olympics (Seoul) Silver Dollar
Year: 1988
Obverse: Lady Liberty's torch and the Olympic Torch merging into a single symbolic flame with olive branches encircling the torches.
Reverse: Five-ring logo of the U.S. Olympic Committee, framed olive branches.
1987 U. S. Constitution Bicentennial Coins
Constitution Bicentennial Gold $5
Year: 1987
Obverse: Stylized eagle holding a quill pen.
Reverse: Constitutional slogan, "We The People."
Constitution Bicentennial Dollar
Year: 1987
Obverse: A quill pen, a sheaf of parchment and the words "We The People."
Reverse: Cross-section of Americans from various periods representing contrasting lifestyles.
Constitution Bicentennial Gold $5
Year: 1987
Obverse: Stylized eagle holding a quill pen.
Reverse: Constitutional slogan, "We The People."
Constitution Bicentennial Dollar
Year: 1987
Obverse: A quill pen, a sheaf of parchment and the words "We The People."
Reverse: Cross-section of Americans from various periods representing contrasting lifestyles.
1986 U.S. Statue of Liberty Coins
Statue of Liberty Gold $5
Year: 1986
Obverse: Close-up view of Liberty.
Reverse: An eagle in flight.
Statue of Liberty Dollar
Year: 1986
Obverse: Liberty with the Ellis Island Immigration Center in the background.
Reverse: Liberty's torch with inscriptions.
Statue of Liberty Half Dollar
Year: 1986
Obverse: Side view of Liberty and back view of immigrant ship steaming into New York harbor.
Reverse: Immigrant family with their belongings on the threshold of America.
Statue of Liberty Gold $5
Year: 1986
Obverse: Close-up view of Liberty.
Reverse: An eagle in flight.
Statue of Liberty Dollar
Year: 1986
Obverse: Liberty with the Ellis Island Immigration Center in the background.
Reverse: Liberty's torch with inscriptions.
Statue of Liberty Half Dollar
Year: 1986
Obverse: Side view of Liberty and back view of immigrant ship steaming into New York harbor.
Reverse: Immigrant family with their belongings on the threshold of America.
1983-1984 U.S. Olympic Coins
1984 Olympics Ten Dollar Gold Eagle/Runners
Year: 1984
Obverse: Olympic torch runners.
Reverse: Head of an American eagle.
1984 Olympics Silver Dollar/Coliseum
Year: 1984
Obverse: Depicts likeness of the sculpture placed in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Reverse: American Eagle.
1983 Olympics Silver Dollar/Discus Thrower
Year: 1983
Obverse: Greek Discus Thrower, inspired by the ancient work of the Greek sculptor, Myron.
Reverse: Head and upper body of an American eagle.
1984 Olympics Ten Dollar Gold Eagle/Runners
Year: 1984
Obverse: Olympic torch runners.
Reverse: Head of an American eagle.
1984 Olympics Silver Dollar/Coliseum
Year: 1984
Obverse: Depicts likeness of the sculpture placed in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Reverse: American Eagle.
1983 Olympics Silver Dollar/Discus Thrower
Year: 1983
Obverse: Greek Discus Thrower, inspired by the ancient work of the Greek sculptor, Myron.
Reverse: Head and upper body of an American eagle.
1982 George Washington 250th Anniversary Commemorative Half Dollar
Year: 1982
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington astride a horse.
Reverse: Mt. Vernon.
Year: 1982
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington astride a horse.
Reverse: Mt. Vernon.
Photo courtesy the U.S. Mint
- Modern Commemorative Coins (1980-1989)
- Modern Commemorative Coins (1990-1999)
- Modern Commemorative Coins (2000-2009)
- Modern Commemorative Coins (2010-2019)
- Modern Commemorative Coins (2020-2029)