Spending another day in the Midwest brings us to the Missouri Statehood Centennial half-dollar, here presented via the 2*4 Variety in PCGS MS-64.
Though it had been nearly 30 years since the release of the first US commemorative half-dollar -- the 1892 Columbian Exposition -- the 1921 Missouri was only the sixth commemorative half-dollar issued. It was, however, one of the coins that signaled the end to the relative "quiet period" in US commemorative numismatics and the beginning of the issue escalation that would peak in the mid-1930s.
Read More: Commems CollectionThe coin was designed by Robert Aiken; Aiken also designed the 1915 Panama-Pacific $50 gold commemoratives. On its obverse is a portrait of a frontiersman (some say Daniel Boone), while the reverse depicts a standing frontiersman (Boone?) in consult with a Native American; the 24 stars behind the two figures are symbolic of Missouri being the 24th state admitted to the Union. Boone is known for his exploration of what is now Kentucky, whereas his time in Missouri came late in his life when he was not an active explorer/settler. Early references make no reference to Boone when describing the design, but multiple modern books identify the portrait as one of Boone. I don't know for sure, but a symbolic frontiersman seems more likely to me.
The Missouri comes in two varieties: Plain and 2*4. Shown here is the 2*4 variety, marked by the incuse ‘2*4' seen on the obverse to the left of the portrait; I'll post the Plain variety on my next swing through the Midwest US. 5,000 of the 2*4 variety were struck, followed by 45,000 of the Plain. While all of the 2*4 were sold, nearly 30,000 of the Plain variety were sent back to the Mint to be melted. Today, though there is a roughly 3:1 ratio in mintages, the two varieties are very similarly priced throughout the grades with the 2*4 being just slightly higher.
The Missouri is one of the commem half-dollars that can exhibit spotty brown toning and generally appear unattractive -- at least to my eye. The coin shown here is a blast white coin with good cartwheel luster (seems like I say that a lot!). It is on my list for upgrade, but I will need to find one that clearly beats this one in eye appeal before I spend the significant amount needed to own an MS-65 example.
Enjoy!
1921 Missouri Statehood Centennial, 2*4 Variety -- Obverse
1921 Missouri Statehood Centennial, 2*4 Variety -- Reverse
Front Cover of Souvenir Program from Missouri Centennial Expo at Sedalia
Posted 04/04/2012 11:25 pm
