Commems Collection Classic: 1951-54 George W Carver - Booker T Washington - The Final Mintage

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 137
commems CCF Master Historian of Commemorative Coins United States 12561 Posts	Posted Yesterday 08:29 am The final run of George Washington Carver - Booker T. Washington ("GWC - BTW") half dollars was struck on August 6, 1954 at the San Francisco Branch Mint. It was reported that 10,000 of the commemorative half dollars were struck - it was a noted as a two-hour job. Note: 100,000 of the coins were struck at San Francisco on August 5, 1954 - the prior day. For context, the San Francisco facility struck a total of 110,000 GWC - BTW half dollars in August 1954 and 122,000 (plus Assay coins) for all of 1954. Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco each struck 12,000 coins (plus Assay coins) between January and February. Over 80,000 unsold San Francisco pieces were returned to the Mint to be melted, leaving an approximate net mintage of 41,800 1954-S coins. It was also reported that ~1,000 coins from the final batch were wrapped in cellophane and sent to the Booker T. Washington Foundation for eventual distribution to VIPs. (I wonder if any of these coins can be verified in today's marketplace?) The August San Francisco strikes not only closed out the GWC - BTW coin program, but also brought to a close the classic-era US commemorative coin series. Commemorative coin collectors would have to wait more than two decades for the next commemorative coins to be struck - the 1975-76 US Bicentennial coinage. (Of course, many commemorative medals were struck by the US Mint after the commemorative coin series ended.) 1951-S George Washington Carver - Booker T. Washington Half Dollae For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including other GWC - BTW coin stories, see: Commems Collection. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff

jbuck Moderator United States 195847 Posts	Posted Yesterday 09:51 am Thank you for sharing. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15930 Posts	Posted Yesterday 1:43 pm Interesting summary of the end of the classic commemorative series. Quote: Commemorative coin collectors would have to wait more than two decades for the next commemorative coins to be struck - the 1975-76 US Bicentennial coinage. I understand your perspective that the US Bicentennial coinage was struck as circulating commemoratives. I won't argue that point. But I will argue that they do not fit into the modern commemorative series as we now know it. That series began as you well know with the 1982 George Washington 250th Anniversary half dollar. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 195847 Posts	Posted Yesterday 2:04 pm Quote: I will argue that they do not fit into the modern commemorative series as we now know it. That series began as you well know with the 1982 George Washington 250th Anniversary half dollar. You know, I never really thought about that until now. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of Commemorative Coins United States 12561 Posts	Posted Today 1H 37M ago Quote: I understand your perspective that the US Bicentennial coinage was struck as circulating commemoratives. I won't argue that point. But I will argue that they do not fit into the modern commemorative series as we now know it. That series began as you well know with the 1982 George Washington 250th Anniversary half dollar. I agree that the Bicentennial coins and the 1982 Washington 250th Anniversary coins differ in their underlying legislative structure, but the difference is less than most realize. 1) Both coin programs came about as a result of Congressional action/Public Law. 2) Neither coin program had a private sponsor - each was a Government-sponsored issue. 3) Both programs offered silver versions for collectors (in the case of the Washington half dollar, only silver coins were struck). 4) Each was issued in Proof and Uncirculated collector versions at a price above face value. 5) The Government saw financial gain from the sale of each coin. For these reasons, I tend to view the Bicentennial coinage as the start of the modern US commemorative coin series. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 195847 Posts	Posted Today 12M ago Quote: For these reasons, I tend to view the Bicentennial coinage as the start of the modern US commemorative coin series. Good points. I need to adjust my thinking now. Although, it makes me feel a little sad. The 1982 Washington pair was my first commemorative purchase from the Mint. The silver bicentennial coins would come to me almost ten years later. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 137

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.42 seconds to rattle this change.