Commemorative Australia Australia, Oceania Coins: World Coins & Paper Money

Today, commemorative coins are popular enough with collectors that the mints of many countries issue them. These commemorative coins illustrate all sorts of subjects, including ancient monuments or sites, historical personalities, endangered species, and historical events. Commemorative coins may or may not commemorate a particular event. The distinction between commemorative coins and thematic coins is typically blurry or ignored.

 

Sometimes non-circulating and circulating commemorative coins are issued at the same time. The circulating commemorative coins introduce variety into the circulating coin mass, while the non-circulating coins are collectors items only and a source of revenue for the state. Coin collectors are often divided on relative merits of non circulating commemorative coins. Many countries issue f non circulating commemorative coins for the sole reason of generating revenue. Circulating coins are thought to more authentically reflect the culture of the country that issues them, and therefore have inherent historical interest. Advocates of commemorative non-circulating coins assert that non-circulating commemorative coins are often used to showcase the art form.