Classic Commemoratives, those issued from 1892 to 1954, have become one of the most popular series in recent years. This fascinating collection consists of 144 varieties of silver issues, including 142 half dollars, one quarter, and one dollar. Let's explore the rich history and remarkable designs of these commemorative coins that mark important moments in American history.
Introduction to Classic Commemoratives
The first United States commemorative coin was issued in 1892 in conjunction with the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. These coins celebrated the 400th Anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America and were sold for $1 at the fair. The Classic Commemorative series began with this Columbian half dollar and ended in 1954 with the Washington/Carver half dollar.
Complete List of Classic Commemorative Coins
1. 1892-1893 World's Columbian Exposition Half Dollar
Purpose: To celebrate Columbus' 400th anniversary journey and raise funds for the 1893 World's Fair
Obverse: Portrait bust of Columbus facing right by Charles Barber
Reverse: The flagship Santa Maria sailing west by George Morgan
2. 1893 Isabella Quarter
Purpose: To raise funds for the Board of Lady Managers at the Columbian Exposition
Obverse: Crowned bust of Queen Isabella of Spain
Reverse: A kneeling woman holding a distaff and spindle
First U.S. coin to portray an actual woman (not Liberty)
3. 1900 Lafayette Memorial Dollar
Purpose: To fund an equestrian statue of Lafayette in Paris
Obverse: Heads of Washington and Lafayette
Reverse: Statue of Lafayette on horseback
First commemorative silver dollar; first coin with Washington; first person (Lafayette) to appear on both sides
4. 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Half Dollar
Purpose: To celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal
Obverse: Columbia with extended arms and a child holding cornucopia
Reverse: Eagle with extended wings on a shield
5. 1918 Illinois Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Illinois statehood
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln
Reverse: Eagle with shield and state seal
6. 1920 Maine Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Maine statehood
Obverse: Arms of the state of Maine with figures representing Commerce and Agriculture
Reverse: Wreath of pine needles and cones
7. 1920-1921 Pilgrim Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300th anniversary of the Pilgrim landing
Obverse: Governor William Bradford carrying a Bible
Reverse: The Mayflower sailing west
8. 1921 Alabama Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Alabama statehood
Obverse: Portraits of governors William Bibb and Thomas Kilby
Reverse: Alabama state seal
First U.S. coin designed by a woman (Laura Gardin Fraser)
9. 1921 Missouri Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Missouri statehood
Obverse: Bust of Daniel Boone wearing coonskin cap
Reverse: Daniel Boone with Native American figure
10. 1922 Grant Memorial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate the centenary of Grant's birth
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant in military uniform
Reverse: Grant's birthplace in Point Pleasant, Ohio
11. 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of the Monroe Doctrine
Obverse: Busts of James Monroe and John Quincy Adams
Reverse: Female figures representing North and South America
12. 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of New Netherland founding
Obverse: Busts of Admiral Gaspard de Coligny and William the Silent
Reverse: The ship Nieu Nederlandt sailing
13. 1925 California Diamond Jubilee Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 75 years of California's statehood
Obverse: A kneeling prospector with miner's pan
Reverse: A grizzly bear walking
14. 1925 Fort Vancouver Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Fort Vancouver's founding
Obverse: Bust of Dr. John McLoughlin
Reverse: A frontier trapper with Fort Vancouver and Mount Hood
15. 1925 Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years since the Revolutionary War battles
Obverse: The Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts
Reverse: The Old Belfry in Lexington
16. 1925 Stone Mountain Memorial Half Dollar
Purpose: To fund the Stone Mountain Memorial
Obverse: Generals Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson on horseback
Reverse: Eagle perched on mountain precipice
17. 1926-1939 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate frontier families on the Oregon Trail
Obverse: Conestoga wagon drawn by oxen heading west
Reverse: Native American with outstretched arm and United States map
18. 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years of American independence
Obverse: Heads of Washington and Calvin Coolidge
Reverse: The Liberty Bell
Only living president (Coolidge) to appear on a U.S. coin
19. 1927 Vermont Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years of the Battle of Bennington
Obverse: Head of Ira Allen, "Founder of Vermont"
Reverse: A catamount (mountain lion) with battle dates
20. 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years since Captain Cook's landing
Obverse: Head of Captain James Cook with compass needle
Reverse: Native Hawaiian chief with Diamond Head in background
21. 1934-1938 Daniel Boone Bicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 200 years since Boone's birth
Obverse: Bust of Daniel Boone
Reverse: Boone with Native American chief holding peace treaty
22. 1934 Maryland Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of Maryland's founding
Obverse: Bust of Cecil Calvert (Lord Baltimore)
Reverse: The coat of arms of Maryland
23. 1934-1938 Texas Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Texas independence
Obverse: Eagle over a five-pointed star
Reverse: Victory figure with the Alamo and portraits of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin
24. 1935-1939 Arkansas Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Arkansas statehood
Obverse: Native American chief and Lady Liberty
Reverse: Eagle with Arkansas outline and diamond
25. 1935-1936 California-Pacific Exposition Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate the California-Pacific Exposition in San Diego
Obverse: Minerva from the California State Seal
Reverse: Buildings from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition
26. 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of Connecticut's founding
Obverse: The Charter Oak tree
Reverse: Eagle standing on rocky mound
27. 1935 Hudson, New York, Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years of Hudson's founding
Obverse: The ship Half Moon sailing
Reverse: Neptune riding backwards on a whale
28. 1935 Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate Cabeza de Vaca's expedition
Obverse: Head of a cow (referencing "Cabeza de Vaca" meaning "head of cow")
Reverse: Yucca tree over a map of Gulf States with expedition route
29. 1936 Albany, New York, Charter Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 250 years of Albany's charter
Obverse: Beaver gnawing on maple branch
Reverse: Governor Dongan, Robert Livingston, and the first mayor of Albany
30. 1936 Arkansas-Robinson Half Dollar
Purpose: To raise funds for the Arkansas Centennial Commission
Obverse: Bust of Senator Joseph T. Robinson
Reverse: Same as regular Arkansas Centennial design
31. 1936 Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 75 years since the battle
Obverse: Confederate and Union veterans in uniform
Reverse: Shields of Union and Confederate armies
32. 1936 Bridgeport, Connecticut, Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate P.T. Barnum and Bridgeport's centennial
Obverse: Bust of P.T. Barnum
Reverse: Art Deco stylized eagle
33. 1936 Cincinnati Music Center Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 50 years of Cincinnati as a music center
Obverse: Stephen Foster, "America's Troubadour"
Reverse: Kneeling figure representing the goddess of music
34. 1936 Cleveland Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Cleveland's incorporation
Obverse: Bust of Moses Cleaveland
Reverse: Map of Great Lakes region with compass
35. 1936 Columbia, South Carolina, Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years of Columbia's founding
Obverse: Justice between the Old and New State Houses
Reverse: Palmetto tree with crossed arrows
36. 1936 Delaware Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of Delaware settlement
Obverse: Old Swedes Church
Reverse: Ship Kalmar Nyckel with three diamonds representing Delaware counties
37. 1936 Elgin, Illinois, Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Elgin's founding
Obverse: Bearded pioneer wearing fur cap
Reverse: Four adult pioneers and baby
38. 1936 Long Island Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of Long Island settlement
Obverse: Heads of Dutch settler and Algonquin Native American
Reverse: Dutch three-masted ship sailing
39. 1936 Lynchburg, Virginia, Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 150 years of Lynchburg's incorporation
Obverse: Senator Carter Glass (third living person on a U.S. coin)
Reverse: Goddess Liberty with Monument Terrace and courthouse
40. 1936 Norfolk, Virginia, Bicentennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate Norfolk land grant and borough establishment
Obverse: Seal of Norfolk with three-masted ship
Reverse: Royal Mace with British crown
41. 1936 Providence, Rhode Island, Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of Providence's founding
Obverse: Roger Williams in canoe greeting Native American
Reverse: Anchor of Hope from Rhode Island state seal
42. 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate the opening of the Bay Bridge
Obverse: California grizzly bear
Reverse: The Bay Bridge with San Francisco Ferry Building
43. 1936 Wisconsin Territorial Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Wisconsin Territory
Obverse: Badger standing on log with arrows and olive branch
Reverse: Miner's arm with pickaxe and lead ore
44. 1936 York County, Maine, Tercentenary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 300 years of York County's founding
Obverse: Brown's Garrison stockade with sentries
Reverse: Seal of York County, Maine
45. 1937 Battle of Antietam Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 75 years since the battle
Obverse: Profiles of Generals McClellan and Lee
Reverse: Burnside Bridge over Antietam Creek
46. 1937 Roanoke Island Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 350 years of Roanoke colony
Obverse: Sir Walter Raleigh
Reverse: Eleanor Dare holding Virginia Dare with sailing ships
47. 1938 New Rochelle, New York, 250th Anniversary Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 250 years of New Rochelle's founding
Obverse: John Pell holding fatted calf
Reverse: Fleur-de-lis
Last U.S. coin with denticles along the rim
48. 1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial Half Dollar
Purpose: To commemorate 100 years of Iowa statehood
Obverse: Old Stone Capitol in Iowa City
Reverse: Eagle with Iowa state motto and 29 stars
49. 1946-1951 Booker T. Washington Half Dollar
Purpose: To honor Booker T. Washington and fund memorials
Obverse: Three-quarter bust of Washington
Reverse: Hall of Fame for Great Americans and Washington's birth cabin
First African American to appear on a U.S. coin
50. 1951-1954 Carver/Washington Half Dollar
Purpose: To honor both Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver
Obverse: Busts of both men
Reverse: Map of United States with "Freedom and Opportunity for All"
Final issue in the Classic Commemorative series
Collecting Classic Commemoratives
Many collectors build type sets of these 50 distinct issues. While some commemoratives like the Lafayette dollar and Hawaiian half dollar are quite scarce and valuable, others are relatively affordable even in higher grades. The series offers a fascinating window into American history through beautifully designed coins that commemorate people, places, and events of national significance.
Building a Classic Commemorative Registry Set
Creating a registry set of Classic Commemorative coins represents one of the most rewarding challenges in American numismatics. Registry programs offered by professional grading services like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), and CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) allow collectors to compete with others by building high-quality sets of these beautiful historic coins. Let me explain how these registry programs work and how you can participate.
Understanding Registry Programs
Registry programs are competitive platforms where collectors can register their coin collections and receive scores based on the completeness and quality of their sets. These programs provide several benefits:
Competitive Aspect: Compare your collection against others
Recognition: Earn awards and accolades for outstanding sets
Community: Connect with fellow collectors with similar interests
Record-Keeping: Maintain a permanent digital inventory of your collection
Goal Setting: Establish clear objectives for building your collection
PCGS Set Registry
The PCGS Set Registry, established in 2001, was the first major registry program. For Classic Commemoratives, PCGS offers several set configurations:
Basic Set (50 Coins): Includes one example of each commemorative type
Complete Set (144 Coins): Includes all date and mintmark combinations
Silver Commemoratives with Major Varieties: Includes recognized major varieties
PCGS uses a weighted scoring system that factors in both the grade of each coin and its relative rarity. The system awards points based on the numerical grade, with bonuses for CAC verification or special designations like "Plus" grades.
NGC Registry
NGC's Registry program offers similar options for Classic Commemoratives:
Type Set: One example of each of the 50 designs
Complete Date/Mint Set: All 144 varieties
Custom Sets: Create personalized sets based on your specific interests
NGC's scoring system also accounts for grade and rarity, with additional weight given to coins with special designations like "Star" (★) for exceptional eye appeal or CAC approval.
CAC Registry
The CAC Registry is newer but offers a unique approach focusing exclusively on CAC-approved coins. For Classic Commemoratives, the CAC Registry typically includes:
Classic Commemorative Type Set: The 50 basic designs with CAC approval
Complete Classic Commemorative Set: All 144 varieties with CAC approval
CAC approval indicates that a coin is strong for its grade, which makes building a CAC Registry set particularly challenging—and prestigious.
Building Strategies
When building a Classic Commemorative registry set, consider these strategies:
Start with the Type Set: Begin with the 50 basic designs before attempting the full 144-coin set
Focus on Quality: Registry programs reward high-grade coins, so prioritize quality over quantity
Target Key Dates First: Secure difficult coins like the 1928 Hawaiian and 1935 Old Spanish Trail when they become available
Consider CAC Verification: CAC-approved coins typically score higher in registry programs
Balance Budget and Competitiveness: Determine whether you're building for completion or competition
The Rewards of Registry Set Building
Beyond the competitive aspect, building a registry set of Classic Commemoratives offers profound rewards. Each coin tells a story of American history, from the Columbian Exposition to the early Civil Rights era. As you assemble your set, you'll develop a deeper understanding of American history, art, and culture through these miniature monuments.
The community aspect shouldn't be underestimated either. Registry programs foster relationships among collectors with similar interests, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and even friendly competition.
Whether you choose PCGS, NGC, or CAC for your registry set, building a collection of Classic Commemorative coins offers both challenge and satisfaction. These programs provide structure to your collecting journey while connecting you with fellow enthusiasts.
As you assemble your set of these historic coins, from the 1892 Columbian half dollar to the 1954 Washington/Carver half dollar, you'll be preserving a unique slice of American history while participating in the time-honored tradition of numismatic competition and camaraderie.
Links some Auction Records for US Classic Commemoratives:
VCD Auctions: The Las Vegas Collection of Classic Commemoratives I
VCD Auctions: The Las Vegas Collection of Classic Commemoratives II
Links for additional information about US Classic Commemoratives:
The ANA's Classic Commemorative Coins online resource
Link to all commemorative sets Classic and Modern on the PCGS Registry:
All PCGS Commemorative Registry Sets