The 1893 World Columbian Exposition USA Half DollarThe 'Columbian Exposition' Half-Dollar was minted in 1892 and 1893. These 90% silver commemorative coins were intended as a way to raise money for the 1892 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 400,000 coins were to be sold for at least $1 but the sales were disappointing and subsequently the coins were released for circulation at face value.
The coin has a diameter of 30.61mm and a weight of 12.5g of 0.900 silver. Designed by Olin Lewis Warner.
The Obverse, engraved by Charles E. Barber, commemorates the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to America in 1492.
The Reverse, engraved by George T. Morgan, shows the ship, the Santa Maria, used by Columbus for that first voyage above two hemispheres.100 Proofs were also issued each year.
Image credit: The Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,550,400 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at US Mint
More information (monarch, year, mint, country, category) can be found below coin listings.
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 | 1893 Columbian Exposition United States Half Dollar Silver Coin, Good £ 16.22 |
 | 1893 Columbian Exposition United States Half Dollar Silver Coin, Philadelphia £ 78.72 |
 | 1893 silver half dollar world's columbian Expo chicago £ 31.91 |
 | Silver Half Dollar 1893 US Columbian Exposition Commemorative & Certificate £ 31.92 |
 | 1893 50C Columbian Exposition Commemorative Half Dollar - PCGS MS-65 £ 299.34 |
 | 1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION TONED SILVER HALF DOLLAR NGC MS62 US TYPE COIN £ 76.67 |
 | 1893 Columbian Exposition Half Dollar (*Certified MS63 by ANACS*) - Toned £ 108.30 |
 | 1893 Columbian Exposition Half Dollar - PCGS MS-64 £ 139.10 |
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Remember 1893 ?
Monarch is Queen Victoria. Prime Minister is William Ewart Gladstone (Liberal). US President is Benjamin Harrison (R-Indiana), then on 4th March it is Grover Cleveland (D-New York). First British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship (at Royal Lytham & St Annes).
Category: USA Half-Dollar
USA Half Dollars (50 cents or Halfs) were first minted in 1794 and continues (most years) until today. It is the largest United States denomination in current circulation although it is not commonly used today. Until 1965 the half-dollar was around 90% silver but now is a sliver clad (coated) coin.Main Varieties of the Half Dollar:
Silver half dollars
Flowing Hair 1794–1795
Draped Bust 1796–1807
Draped Bust, Small Eagle 1796–1797
Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle 1801–1807
Capped Bust 1807–1839
Capped Bust (Large Size), With Motto 1807–1836
Capped Bust (Small Size), No Motto 1836–1839
Seated Liberty 1839–1891
Seated Liberty, No Motto 1839–1866
Seated Liberty, With Motto 1866–1891
Barber 1892–1915
('Columbian Exposition' circulating commemorative 1892-1893)
('Columbian Exposition' circulating commemorative 1892-1893)
Walking Liberty 1916–1947
Franklin 1948–1963
Kennedy 1964 (General circulation issue) (the last 90% silver half dollar for circulation, contains 0.36169 oz. net silver per coin, or 7.234 oz. silver per roll)
Kennedy 1992–present (silver proof sets available)
40% silver half dollars
Kennedy 1965–1970
Kennedy 1976 (only collectors sets produced with 40% silver)
Copper-nickel clad half dollars
Kennedy 1971–1974, 1977–present
Kennedy Bicentennial 1975–1976 (all dated 1776-1976)
Diameter is 30.61 mm (1.205 in) and thickness of 2.15 mm (0.085 in).
Which Mint: US Mint
The United States Mint is part of the Department of the Treasury and is responsible for producing coinage for the United States. It has four coin-producing facilities in current use:- Philadelphia Mint, the largest facility. It was founded in 1792. It has a mint mark of 'P' although the early coins minted there do not carry a mint mark. The 'P' was added to most coins after 1980.
- Denver Mint, Colorado. The mint started in 1906. The mint mark is 'D'.
- San Francisco Mint Facility of the US Mint was created in 1854 to cater for the California Gold Rush. The current Mint buildings have been used since 1937. Mint mark is 'S'.
- West Point Mint Facility, New York. Founded in 1792. Mintmark is 'W'.
Country of Origin: United States of America
The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a constitutional federal republic composed of 50 states. It's currency is the Dollar (USD $1) and that is equivalent to 100 cents.The United States mints many famous coins in gold, silver and lesser metals. The USA has several Mints, such as Philadelphia, San Francisco, West Point (NY) and Denver.
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