Miami Valley Coin Club

A Decoration Day Commemorative Collection

Decoration Day, today’s Memorial Day, was first celebrated in May 1868 as a tribute to pay homage to the hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens and soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War. It also presents another way to build a different collection of coins.

1. Build a collection of coins dated 1861-1865. These coins can be one denomination such as Indian Head cents. These 5 dates in Fine grade could set you back about $175 or less. Or you could expand this idea by adding one of any of the coins minted during these years. Example: one 1864-65 Two Cent Piece, one 1861-65 Three Cent Silver, one 1861-65 Seated Liberty Dime, etc.

2. Collect a set of commemorative half dollars with the theme of the Civil War. This could include the 1925 Stone Mountain Commemorative, the 1936 Gettysburg Commemorative, the 1937 Antietam Commemorative, and the 1995 Civil War Battlefields Commemorative.

But let’s not forget the importance of Memorial Day. Here are 4 things we should remember to do every Memorial Day.

• Since 2000, Public Law 106-579 asks that we all recognize one minute of silence at 3:00pm.
• This day is about honoring those who sacrificed their lives for our country, not just serving (Veterans Day)
• On Memorial Day the flag should only be raised only to half-mast until noon, then fully raised.
• Memorial Day was originally scheduled for May 30 because no Civil War battles took place on that date. By 1968, after all of the  Civil War veterans had died, Memorial Day belongs to all of the fallen of all eras.