Early Gold Commemoratives

Early Gold Commemoratives

The first United States commemorative coin was the Columbian half dollar designed by Olin Lewis Warner. Charles E. Barber engraved the obverse, showing the bust of Columbus; and George T. Morgan engraved the reverse, a representation of Columbus’s flagship the Santa Maria above two hemispheres. The coins were sold for $1 each at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago during 1893. A great many remained unsold and a substantial quantity was later released for circulation at face value or melted. Approximately 100 brilliant Proofs were struck for each date.

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16 Items
Page:
16 Items