As America celebrated its 250th birthday, commemorative coins, medals and collectibles are already finding eager buyers. One such item, the Freedom 250 coin, captures the patriotic spirit of the moment. But it also raises an interesting question: What if a commemorative coin could do more than commemorate?

The question first occurred to me while thinking about the Kennedy Center. Regardless of politics, most Americans would agree that the nation’s premier performing arts center is part of our shared cultural inheritance. Yet like many cultural institutions, it faces recurring financial pressures and preservation needs.

Imagine two people purchasing the same........

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