Modern Silver Coinage (1986-Current)
Silver Commemoratives
Modern U.S. silver commemoratives began in 1982 and have since honored significant people, events, institutions, and milestones in American history. Issued in limited quantities and a variety of designs, these coins blend precious-metal content with meaningful stories from the American experience.
About The Collection
The modern era of United States commemorative coinage began in 1982, when the U.S. Mint issued the George Washington 250th Anniversary Half Dollar, the nation’s first commemorative coin since 1954 and the first U.S. coin struck in 90% silver since 1964. Its success helped usher in a new generation of commemorative issues celebrating significant people, places, institutions, anniversaries and events in American history. The program expanded quickly, with silver coins honoring subjects such as the 1984 and 1996 Olympic Games, Statue of Liberty, U.S. Constitution, Mount Rushmore, Civil War battlefields, Jackie Robinson, American veterans, national parks, the U.S. military and many other important chapters of the American story.
The silver dollar has become the cornerstone of the modern commemorative program, generally struck in both Proof and Uncirculated finishes and issued for a limited time rather than as continuing annual coinage. Over the decades, these coins have showcased an extraordinary variety of designs while often benefiting museums, memorials and organizations connected to the subjects they commemorate through congressionally authorized surcharges. The series also includes silver half dollars and numerous special issues, giving collectors a remarkably broad range of themes, mintages and designs to pursue. From the 1982 Washington Half Dollar to today's limited-edition programs, modern silver commemoratives combine precious-metal content, limited production and the ability to tell the people, events and ideals of American history through coinage.
