½ Dollar Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial

Features

Issuer United States
Period Federal republic (1776-date)
Type Non-circulating coin
Year 1936
Value ½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½ USD)
Currency Dollar (1785-date)
Composition Silver (.900)
Weight 12.50 g
Diameter 30.60 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Number
N#
78983
References KM# 183
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.

Commemorative issue

150th anniversary of the founding of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Obverse

Senator Carter Glass facing left.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
LIBERTY
IN GOD WE TRUST
CARTER GLASS

Engraver: Charles Keck

Reverse

Standing Liberty on the front of the old court.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LYNCHBURG VIRGINIA SESQUI-CENTENNIAL
E · PLURIBUS UNUM
1786
1936
HALF DOLLARั

Engraver: Charles Keck

Edge

Reeded

Mint

United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date)

Comments

One of a few early commemorative coins to feature the likeness of a living person is the 1936 Lynchburg Sesquicentennial Half Dollar (Buy on eBay). The coins were issued to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Lynchburg, a city in Virginia.

The obverse of the coins depicts Virginia Senator Carter Glass. As mentioned, he was living at the time the coins were minted and issued. Other living persons to appear on commemorative coins include Governor Thomas E. Kilby on the 1921 Alabama Half Dollar and Senator Joseph T. Robinson on the 1936 Robinson-Arkansas Half Dollar.

On the reverse is a depiction of Liberty, standing before the Lynchburg courthouse. Interestingly, this is one of only two early commemoratives to feature an image of Liberty, the other being the 1926 Sesquicentennial Gold Quarter Eagle. The designs for the coin were prepared by Charles Keck, who had designed a few other previous commemorative issues.

The 1936 Lynchburg Half Dollar was authorized with a minimum mintage of 20,000 pieces and no specified maximum. The final mintage was 20,013, which includes the pieces struck for assay. Initial pricing was quite reasonable at $1 per coin through the Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial Association. The entire mintage sold out, with relatively wide distribution. Present day collectors can find the coins readily available, even in gem grade.

Authorization: Public Law 74-485

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1936  Photo 20 013 $ 210

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.

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Numista Rarity index: 80 Search tips
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 9.03 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 803 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold ½ Dollar (Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial)
Katz
Auction 94
Lot 2699
Internet Archive
30 Aug 2023 UNC USD 211.65
(EUR 196.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
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