Gold has been a treasured precious metal throughout human history. Even dating back to ancient times, it has held a significance of beauty and status that set it apart from all other precious metals. Gold was also the metallic basis of many circulating coins through the early 20th century.
In today’s world, gold coins are at the top of almost every coin collector’s or coin investor’s want list. Some are more likely than others to be found in circulation. One collection of coins the experts at Gold Guys commonly see is the American Arts Commemorative Series.
American Arts Commemorative Series Medallions are a series made up of ten gold bullion medallions. They were produced by the United States Mint beginning in 1980 and ending in 1984. These coins were sold to compete with other bullion coins including the South African Krugerrand.
After the United States Department of the Treasury started selling portions of the national stockpile of gold, this series was first suggested by North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms. Iowa Representative, Jim Leach, proposed that the medallions portray notable American artists. The bill containing the authorizing legislation into law was signed by President Jimmy Carter on November 10, 1978, regardless of objections from Treasury officials.
