For many Americans, Memorial Day represents the unofficial start of the summer vacation season. But the meaning of Memorial Day goes much deeper than backyard barbecues and memories at the beach.
So, why do we celebrate Memorial Day? The holiday, which started in the post-Civil War era, became a federal holiday in 1917, according to History.com. The observance honors men and women in the U.S. military who died while serving our country. Many Americans mark the occasion by visiting cemeteries, watching parades, or getting together with family and friends.
Another way you can show your patriotism and your appreciation for our armed forces around Memorial Day? Buy gold and silver coins that can remind future generations of America’s hard-won freedoms. While coins are forms of currency, they also represent our country’s patriotic ideals.
Here, we’ve selected six coins that can serve both as patriotic symbols and as smart asset choices.
Pearl Harbor Coin Series
U.S. Money Reserve is the only company to offer the first legal tender coin series that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This World War II tragedy, which occurred on Dec. 7, 1941, killed more than 2,400 U.S. soldiers and civilians and prompted the United States to declare war against Japan.
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The Pearl Harbor Coin series includes:
- The first 24k gold bullion coin (1/10 oz.) commemorating Pearl Harbor
- The 1 oz. Pearl Harbor Silver Bullion Coin
- The Pearl Harbor Proof Gold Coin Set
This coin series “represents not only an important inflection point in our nation’s history, but it is a remembrance of the greatest generation who went on to win this war,” says retired Navy Vice Admiral John Totushek, former president and CEO of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation. If Memorial Day is about the act of remembrance, then these coins go above and beyond.
(Note that the Pearl Harbor Coin series is only available by phone and is sold out online. Call 1-844-307-1589 to place your order today.)
2018 Proof American Eagle Gold Coins
Proof American Eagle Gold Coin
Our 2018 Proof American Eagle Gold Coins pay homage to an enduring symbol of American freedom—the bald eagle. As part of the exclusive Reagan Legacy Signature Series, these coins also pay tribute to a true American patriot: President Ronald Reagan.
President Reagan authorized our nation’s first Proof Gold American Eagle Coin with the Gold Bullion Act of 1985. Each coin label in our Proof American Eagle Gold Coin series is hand-signed by Michael Reagan, President Reagan’s eldest son.
Also, each coin is encapsulated and sonically sealed in an impact-resistant, tamper-proof plastic case by a third-party grading service to protect the coin's condition and design. Condition and design are two key factors that can play into the price of a proof coin.
Mint State Silver American Eagle Coin
Mint State Silver American Eagle Coin
The 2018 1 oz. Mint State Silver American Eagle Coin bears one of the most popular designs the U.S. Mint has ever produced. The coin, initially released in 1986, combines the storied past of American currency with modern minting technology. A walking Lady Liberty appears on the front of the coin; a heraldic eagle appears on the back.
Each coin is certified museum-quality MS-70 or near-perfect MS-69 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), and each coin is sonically sealed in a PCGS-certified coin case.
Did you know that coins—everyday pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters—are left at the gravestones of military veterans as a way to honor them?
“A coin left on the headstone is a message to the deceased veteran’s family that someone has visited their grave and paid their respects. Each type of coin left on the top of the headstone for the veteran has its own meaning,” according to American Military News.
- A penny on top of the headstone means that the grave was visited.
- A nickel means that the person who visited trained at boot camp with the deceased.
- A dime means that the person served with the deceased in some capacity.
- A quarter means that the person who left the coin was with the veteran when they passed away.
What eventually happens to those coins? Money left at gravestones in national and state veterans’ cemeteries goes toward burial and maintenance expenses, says American Military News.
This Memorial Day, we encourage you to participate in Memorial Day by honoring the men and women who lost their lives fighting for America. For some of you, that will mean visiting a veteran cemetery and paying your respects. For others, it will mean bringing home a piece of history that can be passed onto future generations and used to start a conversation about patriotism, freedom, and what it means to be an American.
If your interests include gold, precious metals, or American history, contact us today about any of the coins featured here. Account Executives are standing by to take your call.
