Collecting United States commemorative coins is like compiling a photo album of the nation's history. Because these coins represent so many aspects of America from dramatic battles to Olympic games, from presidents to national parks each collector can build a set that has its own unique and personal significance. In this handy second edition of A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins, Q. David Bowers chronicles the history of commemorative coins in the United States from 1892 to the present. He explores how a commemorative develops from initial concept to final coinage. On the technical and production side, you will learn about die preparation, the coining process, mintages, Proof and assay coins, and distribution. On the market side, Bowers tells you ways to build your collection, and gives advice on evaluating quality, being a smart buyer, realities of the marketplace, Full Details, certification, population reports, registry sets, establishing fair market prices, and more.