It was about 1986 when the US government figured out that it could sell nice-looking commemorative coins for much more than they were worth, and make a handsome profit. This coin is worth 50 cents, its face value, but the mint sold them for about $7 US dollars each, not a bad margin!
These coins carry a beautiful design and the sentimental value can be very high. If they were silver, they would have substantial value. However these coins are made of copper nickel.