Commemorative Plate Value & Price Guide

Commemorative plates serve as decorative milestones, capturing historical events, anniversaries, and cultural shifts in ceramic and glass. These collectibles range from mass-produced mid-century souvenirs to rare 19th-century historical transferware.

Price Range: $20 - $25 based on recent sales

History of Commemorative Plate

The tradition of commemorative plates dates back centuries, but it gained significant momentum in the United States during the mid-19th century with items like the Texian Campaigne series. These early pieces were often used to celebrate military victories or political milestones through detailed transferware designs. By the early 20th century, 'calendar plates' became a popular promotional tool for local businesses, serving as both a functional almanac and a decorative keepsake. The hobby reached its peak during the 1970s, fueled by the American Bicentennial and the rise of specialized manufacturers like Fenton and Franklin Mint. During this era, plates were marketed as limited-edition investments, celebrating everything from the Great Seal of the United States to Royal Jubilees and Mother's Day.

Value Factors for Commemorative Plate

The typical price range for Commemorative Plate is $20 - $25 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Historical Significance: Pieces commemorating major national events like the Bicentennial or early 19th-century campaigns command higher prices.
• Material Quality: While most are porcelain, plates made of hand-pressed Fenton glass or solid pewter often hold more stable market value.
• Age and Rarity: Early 20th-century calendar plates and mid-1800s ceramics are significantly more valuable than mass-produced 1980s collector series.
• Condition: The presence of crazing, fading, or loss of decorative trim can drop the value of a plate by over fifty percent.

Tips for Buying Commemorative Plate

• Inspect the rim and foot ring for hairline cracks or small chips that significantly reduce resale value.
• Verify the presence of original certificates of authenticity or original boxes, especially for limited edition Fenton or Bradford Exchange pieces.
• Look for specific maker marks on the reverse side to distinguish between authentic antique transferware and modern reproductions.
• Prioritize plates with vibrant, unfaded pigments and intact gold leaf gilding, as these are more desirable for display.

Items in This Collection

• Fenton Bicentennial Plate
• Commemorative Wedding Plate
• Washington Colonial Plate
• Oklahoma Souvenir Plate
• Texian Campaigne Plate
• 1961 Calendar Plate
• Fenton Bicentennial Commemorative Plates
• The Great American Revolution 1776 Pewter Plate
• The Great Seal of the United States of America Plate
• 25th Anniversary Plate
• Bicentennial Commemorative Plate
• Little Miss Muffet Collector Plate
• Collector Plate Value & Price Guide
• 1910 Calendar Plate
• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Plate
• 1909 Calendar Plate
• Fenton Mother's Day Plate