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1926 Sesquicentennial Half Dollar |
1926 Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
Mintage 141,120
When collectors refer to the ‘Sesquicentennial’ or ‘Sesqui’ half dollar, they're almost surely speaking of the 1926 coin issued for the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the document that heralded the birth of the new nation. This coin was produced in conjunction with the Sesquicentennial Exposition, which took place in Philadelphia during March of 1926. Its obverse bears side-by-side portraits of George Washington, the Nation's first president and Calvin Coolidge, the president at the time the coin was issued. Its reverse depicts the Liberty Bell, one of the most familiar symbols of American democracy. The coin was designed by John R. sinnock, who recently had become the U.S. Mint's chief sculptor-engraver. More than two decades later, Sinnock would use the Liberty Bell again as a coinage device this time on the reverse of the Franklin half dollar. Anticipating heavy sales because of the occasion's great significance, Congress authorized a very large mintage-1 million pieces. Although the exposition drew nearly 6 million visitors, sales of the coin were modest and huge quantities ended up in the melting pot. The net mintage came to only 141,120 pieces. Coolidge's appearance on the coin is interesting historically; he's the only U.S. president to be featured on a coin while still alive. More important to collectors is the fact that this half dollar comes with very low relief-probably the lowest of any U.S. ‘commem.’ What's more, it was plagued with numerous contact marks. And having been issued before the Depression, it wound up being spent in massive quantities when times got tough. As a result, the coin. is excessively rare in gem condition. Value $45-$7125 |
