Today the antennae come down and the hats come off. Area 51 Precious Metals is a veteran-owned, family-operated shop, and Veterans Day means a lot around here.
Veterans Day falls on November 11 because of the armistice that ended the fighting of World War I: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918. Since then, the US has struck a long line of coins to honor the people who served. Here are some of the standouts.
US commemorative coins that honor service
| Year | Coin | Who it honors |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Korean War Memorial silver dollar | Veterans of the Korean War |
| 1994 | Vietnam Veterans Memorial silver dollar | Those who served in Vietnam |
| 1994 | Prisoner of War silver dollar | Former American prisoners of war |
| 1994 | Women in Military Service silver dollar | Women who served in the armed forces |
| 2005 | Marine Corps silver dollar | The 230th anniversary of the US Marine Corps |
| 2019 | American Legion 100th anniversary silver dollar | The veterans organization founded after WWI |
| 2022 | National Purple Heart Hall of Honor silver dollar | Recipients of the Purple Heart |
Commemoratives are made in limited runs and sold by the US Mint, with surcharges from many of them going to the memorials and organizations they honor.
Why collectors love them
Commemorative silver dollars are real silver, but they carry something extra: a story. Plenty of collectors build sets around a family member's branch or war, and they make meaningful gifts for the veteran in your life.
To every veteran reading this
Thank you. Frank is saluting the only way he knows how (it involves three fingers and an antenna). If you served, we'd love to hear your branch and years. Drop them in the Discord or tell us in the chat at Saturday's show so we can say thanks in person.
Quick answers
Why is Veterans Day on November 11?
It marks the armistice that ended World War I fighting at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
What US coins honor veterans?
Commemoratives include the 1991 Korean War Memorial dollar, the 1994 Vietnam Veterans Memorial, POW and Women in Military Service dollars, the 2019 American Legion dollar and the 2022 Purple Heart dollar.
Is Area 51 Precious Metals veteran-owned?
Yes. We are a veteran-owned, family-operated shop.
Your move, invader
Veterans: tell us your branch in the Discord or at Saturday's show. Frank wants to say thanks.
- Join the Discord and tell the crew
- Play the Invader Challenge: free giveaway points every Saturday show
- Get on Frank's Transmission List for show alerts and first look at new drops
- Follow us on Whatnot so you never miss a live drop
