The first United States commemorative coin was the Columbian half dollar designed by Olin Lewis Warner.

C. E. Barber engraved the obverse showing the bust of Columbus: and G. T. Morgan engraved the reverse having a representation of Columbus' flagship the Santa Maria above two hemispheres.

The coins were sold for $1.00 each at the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago during 1893. A great many remained unsold and a substantial quanity was later released for circulation at face value. Approximately 100 brilliant proofs were struck for 1892 and again for 1893.