# 1323 - Early American Commemoratives - Part 15

Most of the info below comes from: https://earlycommemorativecoins.com/

"Commemorative coins were first issued by the United States Mint in 1892 to mark the World’s Columbian Exposition. The silver half dollars depicting Christopher Columbus were sold at the expedition for one dollar each. In subsequent years, the US Mint would continue the tradition of issuing gold and silver commemoratives to honor the important people, places, and events of the country.

Early commemorative coins were issued between the years 1892 and 1954 and have included primarily silver half dollars and gold dollars."

I will show the series "Silver Early Commemoratives". It will be presented in alphabetical order.

All coins weight 12.5g, with 90% silver purity.

The fiftieth is a MS65 1918 "Lincoln" Half Dollar.

"Representing the first commemorative coin to sell the full maximum authorized mintage, the 1918 Illinois Centennial Half Dollar depicting Abraham Lincoln was immediately popular with collectors and the public. This commemorative silver half dollar would be the first of many issued to mark the anniversaries of states, counties, and municipalities throughout America."

PCGS graded 6,993 1918 "Lincoln" Half Dollars, with 1,374 as MS65 and 795 above. 100,058 1918 "Lincoln" were minted in Philadelphia.

Today's price of this coin is around $300.00.

"The obverse of the Illinois Centennial Half Dollar features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln designed by George T. Morgan after a statue by Andrew O’Connor. This statue was created specifically for the centennial and would be unveiled in Springfield in August 1918. On the coin, a young, beardless Lincoln is depicting in profile, facing right."

"The reverse of the coin was designed by John R. Sinnock after the Illinois State Seal. An eagle is depicted with one talon on a shield and a ribbon in its beak. The ribbon contains the words “State Sovereignty National Union”."

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