Classic-era commemorative silver coins from 1892 to 1954 were made for collectors and were not intended to circulate. Some did, as the many circulated 1892 and 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition half dollars that are available today for a modest premium over their silver value show. Occasionally, lower-grade circulated commemorative coins can be found, beyond the typically encountered types such as the 1923-S Monroe Doctrine Centennial half-dollar. Oh, what stories these coins could share!

The Coin

1900 Lafayette Monument dollar, Fine 12

The Price

$223.25

The Story

The 1900 Lafayette Monument dollar is the sole silver dollar in the classic era commemorative series. While the denomination would be popular upon the revival of the commemorative program in the 1980s, the high face value at the beginning of the 20th century made it an expensive keepsake.

Still, 36,026 1900 Lafayette dollars were distributed and many saw light circulation. The obverse shows the heads of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette and the reverse depicts an equestrian statue of Gen. Lafayette. They were originally sold by the Lafayette Memorial Commission for $2 each, and today even lower-end Mint State examples approach $1,000 in price.

This evenly circulated representative grading NGC Fine 12 is the only one certified in this grade by NGC. It sold for $223.25 at a Feb. 23, 2013, Heritage auction. At this price level, it is among the least expensive examples of this interesting coin to come to market in years.

Keep reading this Market Analysis:

1915-S Panama-Pacific half dollar a collector favorite with a reasonable price tag

1921 Alabama half-dollar lends a variety of obverse, reverse alike

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