1893 Columbian Exposition Half Dollar

The Columbian Exposition Half Dollar is a coin that is very affordable in less than gem mint state.  I run across these coins on a regular basis and, in a very good condition, they can be purchased for about the value of the silver content.  On EBay, you will see these coins selling for about $10+.

Rarity

Although this coin is not the most rare (except for in high grades and proof), it does come with a significant amount of history behind it.  This was the first commemorative half dollar ever struck in the United States and honors the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ “discovery” of the new world.  It was first authorized by congress in 1892 and about 5,000,000 coins were slated for the 1892 World’s Columbian Exposition – the first of the World’s Fairs that had a commemorative coin.  This Exposition was first planned for the end of 1892, but, did not occur until the beginning of 1893 and many coins were struck with “1893” as the year.

In 1892, there were about 104 proofs that were struck of this silver half dollar and many were presented to foreign officials.  Coin collecting then is not what it is today and many of the coins were often mishandled and some of them entered general circulation.  An exception to this was the very first proof that was struck and bought by the Remington typewriter company for $10,000 – an enormous amount to pay for a coin in those years.

Overview

The 1892 issue had a total of 950,000 coins struck and were sold for twice face value or one dollar each.  The 1893 issue had over four million produced but, due to lack of demand, about 2.5 million of those were melted.  Interestingly, this was the first United States coin to have a foreigner on it.

Design: Charles E. Barber; and reverse by George T. Morgan
Mintage: Approx. 5,000,000
Quantity Distributed: 1892: 950,000; 1893: 1,550,405
Diameter: 30.6mm
Weight: 12.50gr.
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

 

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