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1936 Cincinnati Half Dollar |
1936 Cincinnati Half Dollar
Mintage 15,016
The 1936 Cincinnati half dollar is coveted by collectors because of its low mintage: It was struck at three different mints, and each mint produced only 5,000 pieces. At the same time, it's also an extremely curious coin because it seems to have an inappropriate subject and design. purportedly it was issued to commemorate Cincinnati's 50th anniversary as a center of music in America. But that would mean the city became a music center in 1886, and historians say that date had no special significance in Cincinnati's cultural development If anything, they say, the logical date might have been 1873, when a mammoth music festival was conducted in the city. Compounding this puzzle is the choice of Stephen Foster, the famed composer of classic American songs, for the obverse of the coin. Foster did, as a young man, enter his brothers firm in the city and remained there for three years. However, he departed without leaving any musical mark and died in New York City in 1864-more than 20 years before the date supposedly being recognized by the coin. The half dollar's reverse portrays the Goddess of Music holding a lyre and bending on one knee as she plays it. The coin was designed by Constance Ortmayer. The Cincinnati half dollar is probably among the most unimportant U.S. commemorative coins, in terms of the event-or non-event-that it honors. From a hobby standpoint, though, its among the most significant. Its low mintage makes it highly desirable-and because of its low relief it's difficult to find in fully struck gem condition. As a result, top-quality specimens bring very fancy prices. Though it typically lacks strong details, the coin does come with attractively frosty surfaces, as a rule. Value $185 - $780 |
