½ Dollar Oregon Trail Memorial
Features
| Issuer |
United States
 |
|---|---|
| Period |
Federal republic (1776-date)
|
| Type | Non-circulating coins |
| Years | 1926-1939 |
| Value | ½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½ USD) |
| Currency | Dollar (1785-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.900) |
| Weight | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Number | N# 9258 |
| References | PCGS# 9340-9350, 9352-9354 PCGS CoinFacts (https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts) , Greysheet# 10338-10351Greysheet (https://www.greysheet.com/coin-prices) , KM# 159 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes). |
Commemorative issue
Oregon Trail Memorial
Obverse
A covered wagon drawn by two oxen moving west, towards the setting sun
Script: Latin
Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST
OREGON TRAIL MEMORIAL
1926
Engravers: James Earle Fraser, Laura Gardin Fraser
Reverse
Full figure of a Native American in headdress. He stands before a map of the United States with the Oregon Trail marked, with his left hand outstretched to the east and a bow in his right hand spanning the continent.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HALF DOLLAR
Engraver: Laura Gardin Fraser
Edge
Reeded
© Harryg (CC BY-NC-SA)
Mints
| United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date) | |
| D | United States Mint of Denver, United States (1906-date) |
| S | United States Mint of San Francisco, United States (1854-date) |
Comments
Despite having one of the most beautiful designs in the series, the Oregon Trail Half Dollar is usually cited as the best example of the abuses which began to take place within commemorative coin programs. Between the years 1926 and 1939, the coins were minted with eight different dates at three different mint facilities for varying prices, in an attempt to make as much money as possible.
The maximum authorized mintage for the program was set at a lofty 6 million pieces, which was the largest authorization for commemorative coin thus far. For the first year of issue, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and San Francisco Mint and offered by the Oregon Trail Memorial Association for $1 each.
Since the law authorizing the coins did not include a specific time frame or mint, the Association requested more coins struck in subsequent years and from different mints. Additional coins would be minted in 1928, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, variously at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Individual coin pricing varied from $1.50 to $2.00 to $1.60. The final two years were sold as complete sets from all three mints for $6.25 and later $7.50 each.
Despite the vast number of different issues for the Oregon Trail Half Dollars, ultimately only 264,419 coins were sold. All coins remain relatively accessible for collectors of today, despite some lower mintages. Some issues are available in exceptionally high grades at relatively affordable prices.
Authorization: Public Law 69-235
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 6,000,000
The maximum authorized mintage for the program was set at a lofty 6 million pieces, which was the largest authorization for commemorative coin thus far. For the first year of issue, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and San Francisco Mint and offered by the Oregon Trail Memorial Association for $1 each.
Since the law authorizing the coins did not include a specific time frame or mint, the Association requested more coins struck in subsequent years and from different mints. Additional coins would be minted in 1928, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, variously at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Individual coin pricing varied from $1.50 to $2.00 to $1.60. The final two years were sold as complete sets from all three mints for $6.25 and later $7.50 each.
Despite the vast number of different issues for the Oregon Trail Half Dollars, ultimately only 264,419 coins were sold. All coins remain relatively accessible for collectors of today, despite some lower mintages. Some issues are available in exceptionally high grades at relatively affordable prices.
Authorization: Public Law 69-235
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 6,000,000
See also
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| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | Frequency | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| 1926 | 47 955 | $ 160 | $ 220 | 42% | |||||||||||
| 1926 S | 83 055 | $ 150 | $ 190 | Type coin | 39% | ||||||||||
| 1928 | 6 028 | 5% | |||||||||||||
| 1933 D | 5 008 | 3% | |||||||||||||
| 1934 D | 7 006 | $ 370 | 7% | ||||||||||||
| 1936 | 10 006 | $ 280 | 10% | ||||||||||||
| 1936 S | 5 006 | $ 290 | 5% | ||||||||||||
| 1937 D | 12 008 | $ 280 | 10% | ||||||||||||
| 1938 | 6 006 | 5% | |||||||||||||
| 1938 D | 6 005 | $ 300 | 4% | ||||||||||||
| 1938 S | 6 006 | 4% | |||||||||||||
| 1939 | 3 004 | 4% | |||||||||||||
| 1939 D | 3 004 | 3% | |||||||||||||
| 1939 S | 3 005 | 4% | |||||||||||||
Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.
Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.
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Numista Rarity index: 27
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
Bullion value: USD 24.72
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 2197 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.
Actual silver weight: 0.362 oz
Current silver price: 68.34 USD/oz (see silver price 
)
)
Past sales
| Pictures | Sale | Date | Version | Grade | Sold price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Katz Auction 174 Lot 1877 
|
15 Nov 2025 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 157.24
(EUR 136.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 154 Lot 2655
|
12 Apr 2025 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 145.68
(EUR 126.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 123 Lot 2006
|
27 Apr 2024 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 150.30
(EUR 130.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 106 Lot 1130
|
27 Dec 2023 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 186.14
(EUR 161.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
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