1892–1893 Columbian Exposition half dollar

E667067

The 1892–1893 Columbian Exposition half dollar is widely recognized as the first U.S. commemorative coin, issued to celebrate the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago honoring the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage.

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Statements (37)

Predicate Object
instanceOf United States commemorative coin
silver half dollar
anniversaryCommemorated 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas
authorizedBy United States Congress NERFINISHED
circulationStatus sold as a commemorative and also entered general circulation
collectibleStatus popular with U.S. commemorative coin collectors
composition 10% copper
90% silver
country United States of America
surface form: United States
currency US dollar
surface form: United States dollar
denomination half dollar
diameter 30.6 millimeters
edge reeded
eventCommemorated World’s Columbian Exposition NERFINISHED
eventLocation Chicago, Illinois NERFINISHED
faceValue 50 cents
firstOfType first official U.S. commemorative coin
historicalSignificance marked the beginning of the classic U.S. commemorative coin era
issuePrice $1.00 at the exposition
legalTender yes
mass 12.5 grams
metal silver
mint Philadelphia Mint NERFINISHED
mintage over 4 million pieces (combined 1892 and 1893)
obverseDesign portrait of Christopher Columbus
obverseDesigner Charles E. Barber NERFINISHED
obverseLegend COLUMBIAN HALF DOLLAR NERFINISHED
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NERFINISHED
purpose to raise funds for the World’s Columbian Exposition
reverseDateInscription 1892
1893
reverseDesign Columbus’s flagship Santa María above two hemispheres NERFINISHED
reverseDesigner George T. Morgan NERFINISHED
reverseLegend WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO NERFINISHED
subjectOf numismatic studies and collector guides
yearsOfMinting 1892
1893

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

U.S. commemorative coin programs notableEarlyIssue 1892–1893 Columbian Exposition half dollar