Commems Collection Modern: 1993 World War II Young Collectors Set

The 102nd Congress approved a three-coin commemorative program for the 50th Anniversary of World War II - it included a CuNi Clad Half Dollar, a Silver Dollar and a Gold Half Eagle in 1992. The Mint used the flexibility within the enacting legislation, and its own authority, to create several products that supplemented the standard coin packaging.

I've previously posted about one such product option here:

- 1993 World War II Half Dollar Paperweight

In this post, I'm taking a look at another of the Mint's packaging opiions, the World War II Young Collectors Set (YCS).

The Clad Half Dollar coin was available individually in Proof and Uncirculated versions, as well as in several multi-coin sets. It was also included in two specially-packaged sets aimed at young/new collectors: a Young Collectors Set and a Coin & Victory Medal Set.

The obverse design of the Half Dollar depicts the faces of three members of the US military (two men, one woman), superimposed over a large "V" for "Victory." Above the figures is seen a World War II era bomber surmounted by five stars. The bomber appears to be a Boeing B-29 Superfortress used by the US Army Air Force, though it is not specifically identified by the Mint. The five stars above the bomber appear to be a reference to the highest US military rank of five stars; the rank was created during WWII, in 1944, and is generally a war time rank; it was retired in 1981 with the death of Omar Bradley.



The central figure of the coin's reverse is a US serviceman (Army or Marine Corps) crawling with his gun at the ready on the beach of a Pacific Ocean island. In the background is seen a pair of landing craft bringing more soldiers to the beach and a Navy warship (it appears to be a light cruiser); overhead is a fighter plane (its wings suggest that it is a carrier-based Vought F4U Corsair).

The coin's obverse was designed by George Klauba; its reverse was the work of Bill J. Leftwich.

As with the James Madison/Bill of Rights Young Collectors Set that preceded it, the World War II Young Collectors Set was designed for children ages 6 to 10. It uses cartoons and easy-to-understand language to engage kids in the coin collecting hobby and to subtly educate them about World War II. The package's design features the Jeremiah and Christina characters - plus their dog Charlie - the "team" that was introduced with the Bill of Rights YCS.

The World War II YCS features an Uncirculated Half Dollar mounted in a six-panel folder that includes brief discussions of World War II, War-era recycling initiatives and their contemporary impact on US coinage and a brief introduction to coin collecting.

The coin folder is inserted into a slipcase with coordinating artwork. The front of the slipcase features youth-oriented artwork that is shared with the front panel of the coin folder; the back of the slipcase presents the Half Dollar's specifications and Certificate of Authenticity.

The front of the coin folder features artwork that wraps around to its back panel to complete the gas station/recycling scene introduced on the front. The folder's educational content is presented on its four interior panels; the back panel does not include any text.

The Set sold 46,849 units out of an announced maximum of 50,000 (it was a sell-out, the small difference in units produced/sold represented the damaged/unsaleable sets returned to the Mint); the Set had an issue price of $11.50.

1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Slipcase - Front


1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Slipcase - Back


1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Coin Folder - Front Panel


1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Coin Folder - Back Panel


The Interior Side of the Front Panel initiates the story of the US' WWII recycling effort and how kids participated.

1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Coin Folder - Front Panel / Interior


The Front Panel of the Interior Flap continues the important recycling story and presents the coin's obverse.

1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Coin Folder - Interior Flap / Front


The Back Panel of the Interior Flap focuses on the war-time changes to US coinage compositions and shows the reverse of the coin.

1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Coin Folder - Interior Flap / Back


The Interior Side of the Back Panel discusses Coin Collecting and the history that can be found in each.

1993 World War II 50th Anniversary - Young Collectors Set - Coin Folder Back Panel / Interior



For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more Modern US Commemorative Coin stories, see: Commems Collection.