Modern Commemorative Dollars (1982-Date)

About This Series

Reviving the commemorative tradition after a 28-year hiatus, the modern program launched with the 1983-1984 Los Angeles Olympic silver dollars. Each issue requires Congressional authorization and includes surcharges — typically $10 per dollar — benefiting designated organizations. Originally struck in .900 fine silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm matching Morgan/Peace specifications, the program transitioned to .999 fine silver in the 2010s. Annual themes span American achievement: from the Statue of Liberty (1986) and Constitution (1987) through civil rights milestones (Jackie Robinson 1997), military commemorations (World War II, Korean War), cultural celebrations (National Baseball Hall of Fame 2014 with its unique curved design), and scientific achievements (Apollo 11 2019). Both proof and uncirculated versions are produced at West Point (W), Philadelphia (P), and San Francisco (S), with authorized mintages typically capped at 500,000-750,000. Consistently high artistic quality and diverse themes have made modern commemorative dollars one of the most popular collecting categories.