½ Dollar Battle of Gettysburg

Features

Issuer	United States
Period	Federal republic (1776-date)
Type	Non-circulating coin
Year	1936
Value	½ Dollar = 50 Cents (0.50 USD)
Currency	Dollar (1785-date)
Composition	Silver (.900)
Weight	12.5 g
Diameter	30.6 mm
Thickness	2 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Number	N# 7945
References	KM# 181 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

75th anniversary of the Gettysburg battle

Obverse

Portraits of veterans from the Union and the Confederacy

Script: Latin

Lettering:
*UNITED .STATES. OF . AMERICA*
BLUE.AND.GRAY.REUNION
L I B E R T Y
E.PLURIBUS UNUM

Engraver: Frank Vittor

Reverse

Union and Confederate shields separated by a fasces, a bundle of sticks bound together around a double-sided ax, with sprays of oak and laurel to each side.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
1863*75th.ANNIVERSARY*1938
.BATTLE.OF.GETTYSBURG
IN GOD WE TRUST
1936
.HALF.DOLLARั.

Engraver: Frank Vittor

Edge

Reeded

Mint

Comments

The 1936 Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar (Buy on eBay) was issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the pivotal battle of the American Civil War. The issue has become one of the more popular amongst the early commemorative coins.

Designed by Frank Vittor, the design for the coin is sometimes described as medallic in appearance. This effect is created by the outer ring containing inscriptions and the exaggerated basining of the fields.

Similar to the Delaware Half Dollar, the Gettysburg Half Dollar is associated with a somewhat confusing array of dates. The coins are issued to celebrate an anniversary that occurs in 1938, however, they were issued in 1937, and dated 1936.

The maximum authorized mintage for the Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar was 50,000 pieces to be struck at a single mint. The entire number was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and distributed by the Pennsylvania State Commission at a price of $1.65 per coin. In 1938, an unsold quantity of coins was turned over to the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania, who sold the coins for $2.65 each. Eventually, an unsold quantity of 23,100 pieces was returned to the mint for melting.

This issue carries a premium due to its popularity, but it generally readily available. Pieces can be found in gem grades, although many coins will show contact marks on the highest points of the design, the soldier’s faces on the obverse, and the shields on the reverse. With some patience, a high-grade example with minimal distracting marks can be located.

Authorization: Public Law 74-91

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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: 76

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 8.63

This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 767 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

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