The early commemorative coins started with the Isabella Quarter in 1893, to commemorate the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Most of the early silver coins were half dollars, and were minted starting in 1915 with the Maine Centennial. There were numerous half dollar coins minted through 1954. The lone early commemorative silver dollar was the 1900 Lafayette Dollar.
These coins were minted in very small numbers compared to most modern coin mintages, and, while it was intended as a keepsake, they were occasionally spent. Commemorative coins are legal tender. As a result, not all of the original coins survived in a shape that would satisfy a numismatist.
A few issues of gold commemorative dollars were struck, and one quarter eagle, a two dollar fifty cent coin. The quarter eagle was struck to commemorate the Panama-Pacific Exposition, along with two gold fifty dollar coins, the round and the octagon versions.
As with the early commemorative coins, one quarter started the commemorative coinage of modern times. The George Washington Quarter was issued in 1982. It was soon followed by a myriad of dollar and half dollar coins. These coins occasionally are found in sets. Both silver and clad coins were minted, so it is important to know exactly what versions of a coin exist, and place a value on it accordingly.
Modern five dollar gold coins have also been produced for many issues, and sets combining gold and silver abound.
One way of getting some modern commemorative coins is to collect Prestige Sets
A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins: History-rarity-values-grading-varieties (The Official Red Book)
A Guidebook of United States Coins 2014: The Official Red Book
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