Commemorative Coin History

Museums have long served a purpose as cultural staples. For every museum, big and small, careful consideration is used in selecting its contents. When securing new items for a museum, it is most important to consider public appeal, educational value, and cost-effectiveness.

From Trajan’s Column, completed in 113 AD, to the statue of Christopher Columbus in Easton, Pennsylvania, monuments and memorials have been a significant element of celebration and honor throughout history (Source B). Though monuments are typically meant as a symbol of honor, recent controversy over statues dedicated to Confederate leaders and generals has sparked the debate over how to choose subjects to memorialize, and the actual development of these memorials. When considering what or who to honor, one must also consider the subjects impact on history, ensuring that it is positive. In creating memorials and monuments, groups and agencies should examine the historical significance of the events or persons they wish to memorialize, and the

The purpose of many monuments is to honor and protect the legacy of some of America's greatest heroes. Kirk Savage in the book Monument

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” - Proverbs 29:18. So the Colonial Williamsburg Capitol was constructed as a vision and a building for leadership. It was a symbol of control and the most important building in Colonial Williamsburg. Without it, there would not be any system for our society to prosper. But if it can adapt to change, the people would follow. Additionally, it is important during colonial times, valuable to citizens today, and connects to the motto “That the future may learn from the past.” For these reasons, the Capitol should receive a 2016 commemorative coin to honor the exhibit’s importance.

What is that strange orange brick building? Why should I care about that? That striking orange, brick building is the Guardian Building of downtown Detroit. When deciding to go to a historical site in the city, I was drawn in by the history of the place. I am relatively new to the city and when I heard about this place, I knew that’s where I wanted to go. When our group traveled together to the site, it became apparent why this building is not only important to Detroit, but to all cities. The Guardian Building was not only a great fixture of the past, but it is a leading example of the efforts to bring a city back to greatness.

The first building, erected in 1883, housed the hospital, library, dining room, and temporary quarters for veterans until cottages were built. The Veterans’ Home planned to open April 16, 1884 to commemorate the signing of the peace at Appomattox that ended

Colonial Williamsburg is one of the most known historic sites to go to because it was where we fought for our independence. It is where the governor lived, the House of Burgesses met, the capital was there for a bit of time until it moved to Richmond, and many other important ideas happened in Williamsburg. There are many shops and buildings in Williamsburg that hosted very important events and ideas. But the one that is most important and is deserving of a commemorative coin minted for is the Magazine. This is the most deserving because it represents importance in colonial times/historical significance, Value to citizens today, and connection to the motto “the future may learn from the past”. It stored supplies for the militia. Without

Colonial Williamsburg is a massive importance of Virginia, but some of the important buildings are Bruton-Parish Church, Capitol, Governor’s Palace, and Magazine. The holder of ammunition deserves a commemorative coin because of its importance during Colonial times, value today, and its connection with “that the future may learn from the past.”

Virginia has a high amount of contributions to our history. It held Richmond, which was the capital city in the civil war for the confederacy. Virginia also housed two of our nation’s most important towns: Williamsburg and Jamestown. About 150 years after the colonial era, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation was formed. The Foundation wanted to honor one of four buildings in our history by putting the selected building on a coin. Those four buildings are the Governor’s Palace, the Bruton Parish Church, the Capitol, and the Magazine. That building has to show importance in the past and today. It also has to have relevance to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. I believe that the Magazine in Williamsburg deserves the coin most.

Lots of important buildings are in colonial Williamsburg, but the most important is the capitol. The Capitol of Colonial Williamsburg is the best choice for a commemorative coin. It is the most important of the 4 main Williamsburg buildings (magazine, governor’s palace, capitol, and the Burton parish church). It is this important due to its current and historic value. Some examples of its value is the house of burgess was there it was the birth place of democracy in America and its relation to the current government.

Bruton Parish church is ultimately the most deserving building in colonial Williamsburg for a commemorative coin. The church was an important social meeting place during colonial times, and it is still an active church. It also gives us a good idea of colonial life, because the church is still the original church that was used in the 1700’s.The church should be given the coin because it is one of the most important buildings in colonial Williamsburg.

The contractor of the Capitol (Henry Cary) built the College of William and Mary’s Wren Building, which was the interim home of the Capitol. The Capitol building was the home of the House of Burgesses and the General Court. On May 15, 1776, at the Capitol, the center of major Virginian government, the first colony communicated independence. Currently, the Capitol hosts the Annual Naturalization Ceremony, in which immigrants can become U.S. citizens. In connection to the motto, “That the future may learn from the past”, the United States government represents a similar government as the form of government practiced at the Capitol. The 2016 Colonial Williamsburg Commemorative Coin rightfully belongs to the Capitol Building because of the importance during the Revolutionary period, the relevance to citizens today, and the connection to the Colonial Williamsburg motto.

The Burgesses resolved to build the first American structure, the Capitol on May 18, 1699 by Henry Cary. Later on, Patrick Henry gave his Caesar-Brutus speech against the Stamp Act on May 29, 1765. In addition, it is where the Burgesses, along with the Governor's council met and is one of the oldest buildings in Colonial Williamsburg. Along with this, a Commemorative Coin was made for this building to show its importance to citizens in colonial times, citizens today, and its great connection to the motto, “That the future may learn from the past”. The two coins showed represent this building and its importance. The front side of the coin (Left) shows the Capitol building and the current year, 2016. The back side of the coin (Right) says to

The magazine was also a Market place and a stable after the revolutionary war instead of a storage unit for war equipment. The magazine shows historical significance, Relevance today, and a connection to the motto that the future may learn from the past. The magazine was a place where all the war equipment such as tents, food, muskets, and pistols were stored in the revolutionary war, people can still go inside and tourist can learn so much about the military back then. It also sparked the revolutionary war. That is why it is perfect to be minted on a commemorative coin.

The 1804 dollar is one of the rarest and most valuable American coins. Proof coin sets, including the dollar, were created for use as diplomatic gifts carried by envoy Edmund Roberts on his trips to Siam and Muscat. Though the dollars are dated 1804, none were struck until the 1830s; the earlier date was a mistake based on misunderstood U.S. Mint records from 1804. Later, Mint officials struck some of the coins to trade with collectors in exchange for rare coins needed for the Mint's coin cabinet. In response to numismatic demand, Mint officials surreptitiously produced several coins, one of which lacked the correct edge lettering. The coins produced for the diplomatic mission, the dollar struck