Values
A classic silver commemorative’s market depends on the issue, the mint, and the grade. This page is a series reference, not a price list.
The mintage chart leaves G, VF, and MS-63 blank. The NGC US Coin Price Guide file retrieved 2026-08-21 does not cover this series. The Isabella quarter and the Lafayette dollar are not priced as halves.
If you have one and want to sell it, start with how to sell a coin collection. Classic gold commemoratives are the gold issues of the same era. A Walking Liberty half is pocket change of those years, not a commemorative.
Key Dates
No key list was copied onto this page. A small struck figure is still a row. It is not a bold line until a publisher key list is checked against this chart.
Errors
Estimated distributions. Missouri and Alabama, including the 2★4 and 2X2 varieties, are printed as estimates. They stay off.
Melt notes. A footnote that says coins were melted is not subtracted from the struck figure.
The wrong coin. The 1848 CAL quarter eagle is not this series. The 1932 Washington quarter is a circulating coin. A vetoed or cancelled half was never struck, so it is not a blank row.
Compare an issue to the NGC Coin Explorer. We do not host their plates. That category page is not the mintage source for this chart.
Varieties
Most classic silver commemoratives are their own designs, not subtypes of one coin. These are the paired varieties guides name inside a single issue. Estimated distribution cells stay off the chart. Naming a pair is not a count.
- Grant, with star and withoutThe 1922 Grant half comes plain and with a star. They are two varieties of one issue, not two denominations.
- Missouri, plain and 2★4The Missouri half comes plain and with 2★4 in the field. The chart left the estimated cell off. The names are still the variety split.
- Alabama, plain and 2x2The Alabama half comes plain and with 2x2. That cell is an estimate on the source this page uses, so it is not a row. The two designs are still real.
- 1934 Boone, small 1934 and large 1934The 1934 on the reverse comes small and large. Guides name both. This page does not split a count.
Names follow PCGS CoinFacts and NGC, the same publishers this site already cites. This is a name list, not a price list and not a count.
Mintage
Struck figures for the silver issues whose cells print an exact count and a mint letter. The mint column names the issue. The letter at the end of that name is the letter in the source cell.
| Year | Mint | Mintage | G | VF | MS-63 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1892 | Columbian half P | 950,000 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1893 | Isabella quarter P | 40,023 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1893 | Columbian half P | 4,052,105 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1900 | Lafayette P | 50,026 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1915 | Panama-Pacific half S | 200,030 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1918 | Illinois P | 100,058 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1920 | Maine P | 50,028 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1920 | Pilgrim P | 200,112 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1921 | Pilgrim P | 100,053 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1922 | Grant half plain P | 95,055 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1922 | Grant half star P | 5,006 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1923 | Monroe P | 274,077 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1924 | Huguenot P | 142,080 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1925 | Lexington P | 162,099 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1925 | Stone Mountain P | 2,314,709 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1925 | California Jubilee S | 150,200 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1925 | Fort Vancouver S | 50,028 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1926 | Sesquicentennial half P | 1,000,528 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1926 | Oregon Trail P | 48,030 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1926 | Oregon Trail S | 100,055 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1927 | Vermont P | 40,034 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1928 | Oregon Trail P | 50,028 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1928 | Hawaii P | 10,008 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1933 | Oregon Trail D | 5,008 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1934 | Oregon Trail D | 7,006 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1934 | Maryland P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1934 | Texas P | 205,113 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1934 | Boone P | 10,007 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Texas P | 10,008 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Texas D | 10,007 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Texas S | 10,008 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Boone P | 10,010 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Boone D | 5,005 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Boone S | 5,005 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Boone 1934-rev P | 10,008 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Boone 1934-rev D | 2,003 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Boone 1934-rev S | 2,004 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Arkansas P | 13,012 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Arkansas D | 5,505 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Arkansas S | 5,506 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | California Pacific S | 250,132 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Connecticut P | 25,018 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Hudson P | 10,008 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1935 | Old Spanish Trail P | 10,008 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Oregon Trail P | 10,006 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Oregon Trail S | 5,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Texas P | 10,008 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Texas D | 10,007 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Texas S | 10,008 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Boone P | 12,012 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Boone D | 5,005 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Boone S | 5,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Arkansas P | 10,010 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Arkansas D | 10,010 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Arkansas S | 10,012 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Arkansas-Robinson P | 25,265 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | California Pacific D | 180,092 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Cleveland P | 50,030 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Wisconsin P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Long Island P | 100,053 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | York County P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Bridgeport P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Lynchburg P | 20,013 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Elgin P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Albany P | 25,013 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Bay Bridge P | 100,055 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Rhode Island P | 20,013 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Rhode Island D | 15,010 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Rhode Island S | 15,011 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Cincinnati P | 5,005 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Cincinnati D | 5,005 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Cincinnati S | 5,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Columbia SC P | 9,007 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Columbia SC D | 8,009 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Columbia SC S | 8,007 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Oregon Trail D | 12,008 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Texas P | 8,005 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Texas D | 8,006 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Texas S | 8,007 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Boone P | 15,010 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Boone D | 7,506 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Boone S | 5,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Arkansas P | 5,505 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Arkansas D | 5,505 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Arkansas S | 5,506 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Norfolk P | 25,013 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Delaware P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1936 | Gettysburg P | 50,028 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Roanoke P | 50,030 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1937 | Antietam P | 50,028 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | New Rochelle P | 25,015 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Oregon Trail P | 6,006 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Oregon Trail D | 6,005 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Oregon Trail S | 6,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Texas P | 5,005 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Texas D | 5,005 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Texas S | 5,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Boone P | 5,005 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Boone D | 5,005 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Boone S | 5,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Arkansas P | 3,156 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Arkansas D | 3,155 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1938 | Arkansas S | 3,156 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1939 | Oregon Trail P | 3,004 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1939 | Oregon Trail D | 3,004 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1939 | Oregon Trail S | 3,005 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1939 | Arkansas P | 2,104 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1939 | Arkansas D | 2,104 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1939 | Arkansas S | 2,105 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1946 | Iowa P | 100,057 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1946 | Booker T. Washington P | 1,000,546 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1946 | Booker T. Washington D | 200,113 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1946 | Booker T. Washington S | 500,279 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1947 | Booker T. Washington P | 100,017 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1947 | Booker T. Washington D | 100,017 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1947 | Booker T. Washington S | 100,017 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1948 | Booker T. Washington P | 12,004 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1948 | Booker T. Washington D | 12,004 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1948 | Booker T. Washington S | 12,004 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1949 | Booker T. Washington P | 12,004 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1949 | Booker T. Washington D | 12,004 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1949 | Booker T. Washington S | 12,004 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1950 | Booker T. Washington P | 12,004 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1950 | Booker T. Washington D | 12,004 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1950 | Booker T. Washington S | 512,091 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1951 | Booker T. Washington P | 510,082 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1951 | Booker T. Washington D | 12,004 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1951 | Booker T. Washington S | 12,004 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1951 | Carver-Washington P | 110,018 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1951 | Carver-Washington D | 10,004 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1951 | Carver-Washington S | 10,004 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1952 | Carver-Washington P | 2,006,292 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1952 | Carver-Washington D | 8,006 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1952 | Carver-Washington S | 8,006 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1953 | Carver-Washington P | 8,003 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1953 | Carver-Washington D | 8,003 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1953 | Carver-Washington S | 108,020 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1954 | Carver-Washington P | 12,006 Philadelphia strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1954 | Carver-Washington D | 12,006 Denver strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
| 1954 | Carver-Washington S | 122,024 San Francisco strike. Melts, proofs, and estimated distributions stay off. | — | — | — |
Mintage: the note under this table names the page that printed each count. These figures are not an NGC Coin Explorer extract and they are not the 1974 Mint pamphlet.
Collector-standard year/mint presentation follows A Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book). These cells are Mint manufacture figures, not a Red Book net or melt.
Values: NGC US Coin Price Guide, retrieved 2026-08-21. Guide values, not offers. Not melt. NGC IDs link to the same publisher’s price-guide listing.
Key date names: PCGS CoinFacts (2026-08-21). Bold rows are only dates that publisher named.
Struck figures are the Wikipedia lists of United States commemorative coins, retrieved 2026-10-06. An authorization, a proof, a pattern, and an estimated distribution stay off. A melt note is not subtracted. The 1848 quarter eagle stays off.
The counts are the Wikipedia lists of United States commemorative coins, retrieved 2026-10-06. Authorizations stay off. Proofs and patterns stay off. Estimated distributions stay off. A melt note is not subtracted. Coins dated on the piece keep that date when the list says they were released later. The grade columns are empty because this site has no NGC guide extract for these issues.
Specifications
These are mint specs, not what a dealer pays. Wear can take a little weight off a coin. We will not invent a tolerance. No catalog page used here prints one thickness that fits the quarter, the halves, and the silver dollar.
| Specification | Figure |
|---|---|
| Diameter | Not printed |
| Thickness | Not printed |
| Weight | Not printed |
| Composition | Not printed on a cited catalog page |
| Edge | Not printed on a cited catalog page |
| Designer | The artist changes by issue |
No catalog page used for the classic silver commemoratives prints a thickness. Diameter, weight, and thickness stay Not printed. A half dollar planchet is not copied onto the Isabella quarter or the Lafayette dollar.
Grading
A classic silver commemorative is graded as that issue, not as a Walking Liberty half.
The Isabella quarter and the Lafayette dollar are on this page. They are not halves.
Key Diagnostic Areas
| Area | What to examine | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| The issue | The devices, then the date, then the mint letter. | Oregon Trail, Texas, Boone, and Arkansas return for several years. The year alone is not the coin. |
| The high points | The cheek, the raised lettering, and the proudest device on each side of that issue. | These coins were handled as souvenirs. Rub on the high point is wear, not a weak strike by itself. |
| The variety | A star, a 1934 reverse date, or a plain field. | Grant’s star and Boone’s 1934 reverse are separate rows. They are not grades of the plain coin. |
Circulated & Mint State
These cards describe this coin, not a second copy of the P-1 through MS-70 chart. The shared numbers live on the glossary.
See graded photos. The photos that show what VF looks like live at PCGS. We do not host their plates. NGC Coin Explorer is another look if you want a second set.
What each named grade looks like on this design.
Poor
Poor
A disk you can still call a silver commemorative if you already know the type.
- The cheek and the high device are gone.
- The date may be a shadow. Do not scrape it.
- Shine does not make this a better coin.
AG
About Good
You might read a digit. The high points on this silver commemorative are already slick.
- The cheek and the high device are worn to a blank patch.
- If you cannot read the date without hoping, stay here.
- A commemorative half is still this grade if it is this worn.
Good
Good
The date is readable. The design is still mostly an outline.
- The cheek and the high device are flat. The type is an outline, not a portrait.
- The rim should be full enough to hold the legend.
- This is a worn coin, not a details story.
VG
Very Good
The date is clear. A little life returns away from the high points.
- Some leftover detail sits away from the cheek and the high device.
- The high points are still tired.
- Do not clean the date to “see it better.”
Fine
Fine
You can follow the design. The high points are outlined, not sharp.
- The cheek and the high device are outlined and flat — no real sharpness yet.
- The rest of the coin can look busier than the grade.
- The date should be clear. The mint mark should be too, if there is one.
VF
Very Fine
The type is doing real work. The cheek and the high device still decide.
- Leftover detail sits on the cheek and the high device. The centers are still the worn spot.
- Marks do not raise the grade.
- A regular commemorative half is still this grade if it is this worn.
EF
Extremely Fine
Most of the coin looks sharp. The high points tell on it.
- Light wear on the cheek and the high device.
- The rest of the coin can look better than the grade. Trust the high points.
- The date should be sharp.
AU
About Uncirculated
Almost no wear — and “almost” lives on the same high points.
- A trace of rub on the cheek and the high device.
- Luster may still sit in the fields. Rub on those high points is still rub.
- A bright coin with a slick high point is still slick.
Basal MS
Mint State
No wear. The fight is marks and luster, not how white the coin looks.
- No rub on the cheek and the high device.
- Marks and luster decide how this mint-state coin lives.
- A bright chewed-up coin is still chewed-up.
Choice
Choice Mint State
Still no wear. Cleaner fields than basal mint state.
- Same no-wear rule on the cheek and the high device.
- Fewer marks in the fields. Luster is more intact.
- White is not a grade.
Gem
Gem Mint State
A clean silver commemorative for this type. Still mint state, still not a story.
- No wear on the cheek and the high device.
- Marks and luster, not a romance about a date or a white field.
- A slab is an opinion in plastic. The glossary has the numbers.
Proof commemoratives exist for some issues. This page does not invent a PR price grid. The proof numbers live on the glossary.
Copper color designations do not apply to these silver coins. See the Lincoln Wheat cent and the glossary.
Overview
Classic silver commemoratives run from the Columbian half of 1892 through the Carver-Washington halves of 1954. Most are half dollars sold above face by a local committee. The Isabella quarter of 1893 and the Lafayette dollar dated 1900 are on the same chart because they are silver commemoratives, not because they are halves.
No paired public-domain photograph was added. One half would not stand for a quarter and a dollar. The placeholder is intentional.
This page is a series article, not a shop listing.
History
The Columbian halves of 1892 and 1893 open the series. The Isabella quarter is the Board of Lady Managers’ coin from the same fair. The Lafayette dollar is dated 1900. Later halves follow anniversaries, expositions, and state centennials. Oregon Trail, Texas, Boone, and Arkansas return for several years. Booker T. Washington runs from 1946 through 1951, and Carver-Washington closes the classic series in 1954.
Some halves are dated one year and released the next. Norfolk, Delaware, and Gettysburg are dated 1936 on this chart because that is the date the list prints on the coin. Iowa is dated 1946. Later holding releases are not extra dated rows.
Modern commemoratives that begin in 1982 are a different program. They are not rows here.
Design
Each issue has its own obverse and reverse. This page does not give them one shared pair. Columbus, Isabella, a trail wagon, a state capitol, and a portrait half do not share a reverse. Read the mint column before you name the coin. A 1935 Boone with 1934 on the reverse is a separate row from the 1935 Boone without that date.
The mint letter is the letter printed with the count. This page does not replace that letter from memory.
People Also Ask
Why is the Isabella quarter on a half-dollar page?
It is the one quarter in the classic silver commemorative series. The Lafayette piece is the one silver dollar. Both sit on this chart with the halves.
Why are Missouri and Alabama missing?
Those cells are printed as distribution estimates. An estimate is not a row.
Does the chart subtract coins that were melted?
No. The row is the struck figure in the source cell. A melt note stays off the count.
How much is a Columbian half worth?
This page does not print guide prices. The NGC US Coin Price Guide file retrieved 2026-08-21 does not include these commemoratives. A Walking Liberty price is not this coin.
Collector Considerations
Name the issue before you name the year. Oregon Trail was struck in more than one year, and several of those years come from more than one mint. Adding those rows together is not a single mintage.
A gold Panama-Pacific coin and the 1926 sesquicentennial quarter eagle belong on the gold commemorative page. A circulating half of the same date belongs with that half dollar series.
A Final Word
The silver chart is the struck figure where the list prints an exact count. Estimates stay off, and a melt note stays a note.
The grade columns stay blank until a guide extract exists for these issues.