So-Called Half Dollar - Project Mercury / Telstar

Features

Location United States
Type Unclassified exonumia › Miscellaneous token
Year 1962
Currency United States - So-called Dollars
Composition Silver (.925)
Diameter 31 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Number
N#
81827

Commemorative issue

Telstar, Project Mercury

Obverse

Standing rocket, portrait

Script: Latin

Lettering:
PROJECT MERCURY
MANNED ORBITAL FLIGHT
JOHN GLENN, JR.
SCOTT CARPENTER
WALTER SCHIRRA
1962

Engraver: Robert McNamara

Reverse

Winged man holding cables on right arm, satellite aloft in left hand

Script: Latin

Lettering:
TELSTAR WORLD SATELLITE
COMMUNICATION
1962

Engraver: Robert McNamara

Comments

In 1954, the U.S. ceased making commemorative coins because of abuses perpetrated by Congress and the sponsors of these coins. Commemorative coins would not be struck again until the U.S. bicentennial, and then not again until 1982. Robert McNamara recognized the dilemma that this policy produced as there were many events in the US's history that were worthy of being recognized and celebrated within the scope of the national commemorative coin program.
In 1959, McNamara began the issuance of commemorative medals, the size and weight of a half-dollar and exact weight (192 grains), but a higher fineness (.925 silver as opposed to .900 fine), to replicate the U.S. half-dollar as close as possible. The U.S. treasury was alerted to this effort and informed McNamara that he would have to make some change to his medals so that they would not pass as half dollars in machines. His answer was to add 70 extra grains of sterling silver to the weight of each medal.

Now, without the encumbrances of Congressional legislation, (he did not have to include a denomination, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, “LIBERTY” or “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on any of his medals), he proceeded to strike three different medals each year and continued the program through 1978, making 60 different medals over the 20-year period.

See also

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1962  3 500 Heraldic Art H25, Special Issue #2

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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.

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