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1936 Columbia South Carolina Half Dollar |
Mintage 25,023
Despite its modest population of just over 100,000, Columbia is South Carolinas capital and largest city. In 1936, the city observed its 150th anniversary-and in honor of the occasion, Congress authorized a special half dollar with a maximum miniage of 25,000. The obverse of the coin depicts a female figure symbolizing Justice standing in the center with the 1786 State House at the left and the 1936 version at the right. The figure holds a sword in her right hand and the scales of justice in her left The coin's reverse features a palmetto tree, the official state emblem, encircled by 13 stars. These denote that South Carolina was one of the nation's 13 original states. The coin was designed by A Wolfe Davidson, a 32-year-old student sculptor at Clemson University. Though all 25,000 authorized were produced, the total was divided three ways, with 9,000 being made at the Philadelphia Mint and 8,000 apiece in Denver and San Francisco. That makes each of the three a relatively low-mintage issue. Nonetheless, Columbia half dollars are readily available in gem condition; this is one case where attractive, well-struck pieces appear to be the rule, not the exception. Because of this, premiums for such pieces are relatively modest, despite the low overall mintage level. Given all this, it isn't too surprising that the coin is extremely popular with collectors. Value $130 - $300 |
