77.  Our first commemorative coins were first seen at a World’s Fair...  1892 was the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America. To celebrate, Congress provided money for a world’s fair. Chicago hosted the “Columbian Exposition,” as it was called, and two special coins were created for the event. The half dollar coin featured a bust of the explorer and sold at the fair for one dollar. The quarter dollar showed Queen Isabella of Spain, who financed the trip.