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When I said "I can't help it," I meant I can't improve on what Jesus said, so I just have to repeat it. He said "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven." That's what we have to work with here.

"Why did Jesus give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven?"

To indicate that he would have authority in the Kingdom of God to open and shut the door.

What are these keys exactly?"

A reference to the foreshadowing found in Isaiah. You might want to re-read the Isaiah 22 reference.

"I will clothe him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
confer on him your authority.
He shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and to the house of Judah.
I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder;
what he opens, no one will shut,
what he shuts, no one will open."

"Are they gold?"

No. They are not a physical set of keys.

"Are there more than one set?

They are not a physical set of keys. There are no doubt different kinds and degrees of authority.

"Is Peter the only person Jesus gave these keys to?"

If you're talking about different kinds and degrees of authority, God has appointed a number of people to positions of service and authority. As you no doubt know, Paul said it is God who makes these special appointments:

1 Cor. 12:28-29
And God has appointed in the church,
first apostles,
second prophets,... (etc. etc.)

I know you know this, because I quoted it to you just six hours ago. Perhaps you'll benefit from re-reading it:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3285355/posts?page=175#175.

So there are different kind of leadership. With respect to the "Power of the Keys," though, in Matthew 16:19, Jesus is specifically addressing Peter. That was given to Peter and to his successors. Various kinds of specialization, localization and delegation have emerged over the centuries, which is inevitable when the number of believers and local churches gets larger and larger.

For instance, St. Athanasius (his feast day is today) said in his letter Ad Afros, that there were 318 bishops at the Council of Nicaea in 325 that would be just 275 years after the Council of Jerusalem. The successor of Peter--- Pope Sylvester himself --- did not personally attend; instead, he sent two legates.

So you could say the "Power of the Keys" has a larger, ecclesial implication. It does not signify only a solo, lone-ranger sovereignty.