1. What are Commemorative Coins?

These special coins are usually issued either to commemorate events or to help pay for monuments and celebrations that commemorate historical persons, places, or things.

A commemorative coin is offered in most instances by a commission in charge of the event to be commemorated and it's sold at a price higher than the face value of the coin.

Commemorative coins have been around since the days of the Greeks and Romans. In the beginning, they were used to record and honor important events. And, in the absence of newspapers, they proved useful in passing along important news of the day.

Many modern nations have issued commemorative coins which are highly sought after by collectors. But no nation has surpassed the United States when it comes to commemorative coins.

People who collect commemorative coins are usually geared more toward the historical side of coin collecting. It is the historical features of the commemorative coins that create interest among many people who would otherwise have little interest in coins.

2. Abolition of the slave trade £2 commemorative coin, 2007

In 2007 many events and exhibitions have been organized to commemorate the bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which was passed on 25 March 1807. The act outlawed the involvement of British ships in the trade. The Government and national organizations planned some of the events many years in advance. The Royal Mint produced this special coin as part of the bicentenary which was unveiled on 16 April 2007. The coin was designed by David Gentleman RDL and features the anniversary date threaded with a broken chain symbolizing the break in the oppression experienced in slavery. Only a limited number of the coins were produced.

3. Vatican City Commemorative Coins

Pontificate of John Paul II Commemorative coin, 2000 Lire Silver 835/1000 Proof. Bimillenary of the birth of Jesus. 2000. Mintage 8,000.

4. 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome - Euro Netherlands 2007

The coin shows the Treaty document signed by the six founding countries on a background indicating the paving (designed by Michelangelo) of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, where the signing took place on 25 March 1957. ‘Treaty of Rome 50 years’, ‘EUROPE’ and the name of the issuing country appear in the respective languages of the euro area or in Latin. Thus, the legend differs from country to country, but the image is the same.

The Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community and ultimately led to the introduction of the euro in 1999 and the euro banknotes and coins in 2002. The anniversary was celebrated on 25 March 2007. The euro area countries have marked the occasion by jointly issuing this commemorative coin. Its design was selected following a competition organized by the European mints.

Issuing volume: varies from country to country

Issuing date : 25 March 2007