How many times have you thought that you mother deserves a medal for all she’s done for you? Why not act on that sentiment and give her a bronze, silver, or gold medal for Mother’s Day?
Medals with Meaning
Over the years the US Mint has produced medals that commemorate significant events or honor persons whose achievements have added to the enrichment of others. These include political and civil rights leaders, inventors and explorers, and noteworthy organizations and places. Any of them can hold a special meaning for your mother and are a great way to let her know you share that memory with her.
Presidential Medals
Is Mom a fan of a particular president? Maybe she even worked on the campaign. The Mint has gold, silver, and bronze Presidential Medals
that commemorate several presidents, both recent and past, and add more each year.
Bronze medals are available for Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln as well as both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt. Modern presidents include JFK, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Barak Obama. In 2018 the Mint began a series of 99.9% pure silver presidential medals. Washington and Adams kicked the series off, and four more presidents will be added in sequence each year until the series is current. They’re also available with engraved portraits of the president.
Humanitarian and Cultural Medals
These special humanitarian and cultural medals honor individuals and events that have had an impact on both the US and the world. They include the space program and Amelia Earhart, civil rights milestones, world figures such as Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Famous sports figures like Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, and Jack Nicklaus also appear. You’re bound to find something with meaning for Mom.
Military Themed Medals
Is Mom a veteran? A history buff? There are dozens of military medals
that honor various branches and groups of the military. They range from service branches to Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), Navajo Code Talkers, Nisei soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and the Monument Men.
These and other bronze medals are available in 3 inch and 1½ inch sizes and make perfect gifts for military veterans and history buffs alike.
Collecting Medals
Gifts of medals can be the start of a hobby with unexpected rewards. Because the number is so large—literally millions of different designs have been made—and the number of collectors is small compared to, for instance, coin collectors, it’s easier to find rare and valuable items at bargain prices.
Given the number and types of medals out there, it’s best to start with a topic. It can be as broad as US presidential medals or as narrow as medals specific to one person, state, or city. You can also collect by subject matter—sports, aviation, military, for instance.
You might choose several categories to see what most interests you. Then, if you hone in on a specific type, you can trade or sell your others to build that collection. Fortunately, most medals are less expensive than coins, especially rare ones, so building a nice collection doesn’t require a big bank account. At least until you get into rare items.
Why Collect Medals?
Medals are a great way to explore history and culture. They make excellent collections that are easily displayed both as decorative pieces and conversation starters. And who knows, maybe that first medal will inspire Mom to start a new hobby that can be both interesting and rewarding.
For more information about collecting medals, visit the Medal Collectors of America website.
