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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,930 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12255 Posts |
Today we have a look at the commemorative half-dollar that started it all, the 1892 Columbian Exposition 50-cent piece, here in PCGS MS-65. Authorized by the US Congress as a "souvenir coin" to help raise funds for the staging of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the coin was the first in what would become a long-line of 60 different types of US silver and gold commemorative coins. Read More: Commems CollectionWith a mintage of 950,000, the coin is easy to locate in AU and MS-60 through MS-63 (and quite inexpensive -- the history alone should be worth more!). It gets a bit tougher in MS-64 and noticeably more so in MS-65 if you are looking for coins with nice luster and without blotchy, brown toning and/or a flat dull look. The coin presented here has nice cartwheel luster on the obverse and reverse without any major marks that draw your eye. A bit of rim toning suggests this one has been undisturbed (as least for quite some time). Charles Barber created the obverse with George Morgan providing the reverse. Enjoy! 1892 Columbian - Obverse 1892 Columbian - Reverse Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Very nice!  I absolutely love the rim toning on this one. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
 Talk about major eye appeal! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1653 Posts |
Beautiful coin, commems!
Your threads about commemoratives have been great fun, thanks very much!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7186 Posts |
Another strong example of the first commemorative from America. With a great design and ample supply this is a coin most collectors can acquire in lower grades. Thanks for showing your pristine example.
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Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
WOW! Super nice! Wish mine looked like that. Mine has that crappy brown tone to it but is otherwise a good AU-MS60.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
Very nice coin! |
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Moderator
United States
15392 Posts |
Back from 4-days of emerald mining vacation ... catching up in my favorite forum ... apologize for the late replies ... Outstanding looking example of the coin that started the USA classic commemorative series ... and another great contribution by commems. My personal aesthetic leans towards less toning ... but I can certainly be a fan of the lovely rim toning on this fine coin ... a very choice example indeed. I have an upgrade on the way for my 1892 Columbian Half ... hoping to share it shortly. David |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12255 Posts |
nickelsearcher: Emerald mining? Sounds interesting! Successful?
I look forward to seeing your Columbian!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
It has a nice halo of toning.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
573 Posts |
Beautiful coin! I love that toning. They also made Columbus commemorative stamps and postal stationery that year. They were the first commemoratives issued by the USPS. Here are pix of some Columbus stationery that I inherited from my dad. They show Columbus on the left with Lady Liberty on the right. I think they're a nice complement to your half.     |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,930 |
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Posted 03/23/2012 5:08 pm
