Exhibit 24


                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned do hereby appoint J.
Daniel Stinnett and Jeffery D. Aberdeen, or either of them, attorney for the
undersigned to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Commerce Bancshares,
Inc., for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, together with any and all
amendments which might be required from time to time with respect thereto,
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to Commerce Bancshares, Inc., with full
power and authority in either of said attorneys to do and perform in the name
of and on behalf of the undersigned every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed these presents this 2nd
day of February, 2001.


                                                   s/ Giorgio Balzer

                                                   s/ Fred L. Brown

                                                   s/ John R. Capps

                                                   s/ David W. Kemper

                                                   s/ Jonathan M. Kemper

                                                   s/ Terry O. Meek

                                                   s/ Benjamin F. Rassieur III

                                                   s/ L. W. Stolzer

                                                   s/ William A. Sullins, Jr.

                                                   s/ Robert H. West