Great Fun ... Antietam Half Dollar Comparison

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 2,449
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15403 Posts	Posted 10/28/2013 8:57 pm It has been a long time since I shared one of these 'comparison' threads ... a brief history and photos that compare the circulated versus MS coins in my classic silver commemorative set. Topic of this post is the 1937 Battle of Antietam Half Dollar ... designed by Maryland sculptor William Marks Simpson ... he also designed the 1936 Norfolk Half and the 1937 Roanoke Island Half. This is one of the three coins issued during the series specifically related to the USA civil war ... the other two being the 1925 Stone Mountain Half and the 1936 Gettysburg Half. Congress approved a mintage of 50,000 coins ... the mintage of 38 assay coins pushed the total mintage of Antietam Half dollars to 50,038 coins. Alas collectors of the day were in the throes of commemorative burnout given the abuses of the series at the time ... not to mention the continued distribution in 1937 of the Boone, Arkansas, Texas and Oregon Trail Half dollars by their respective agencies. The Antietam half dollar was issued for an asking price of $1.65 ... unfortunately to collectors of today most went unsold and some 32,000 were returned to the mint for melting. The net mintage of surviving Antietam half dollars is thus on the order of only 18,000 coins ... One should readily imagine that such a coin at that time ... purchased by a collector at significant premium ... should remain in MS state ... and such is the challenge of finding these coins in honestly circulated condition! Today the Antietam half dollar is readily available in most high MS state ... Truly circulated examples however are nearly impossible to find in the market today ... who would have spent their $1.65 half ... sold only to collectors ... at face value? Thrilled to share one of each with you ... 1937 Antietam Half Dollar PCGS MS67/CAC Absolutely stunning coin ... in hand just as it left the mint in 1937. 1937 Antietam Half Dollar PCGS VF35/CAC Wow ... how did this coin come to be? Hoping that my 'comparison' threads are of some interest out there ... there are a few other of these posts going back a while. Enjoy David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff

ericmckeown Valued Member United States 379 Posts	Posted 10/28/2013 9:04 pm I'm interested indeed. The detail lost is quite amazing. Have you looked at a detailed National Park Quarter under a loupe v.s. the naked eye? Quite contrasting as well. Good example is Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. Report this Post to the Staff
mailman28 Valued Member United States 416 Posts	Posted 10/28/2013 10:14 pm Interesting comparison and 2 good looking halves Report this Post to the Staff
basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 10/28/2013 10:25 pm Gorgeous coins. I love both of them. Thats probably me favorite classic commem and I've spent the last two years trying to find a 67 that looks like yours with no luck. Fantastic pieces for your collection Report this Post to the Staff
Hondo Pillar of the Community United States 1211 Posts	Posted 10/29/2013 12:01 am Again David, congratulations on your newest addition! It has been a while since I've seen your ms... Wow! David, can you maybe provide the link to your thread from your visit to Antietam? Apologies if this is taking your thread off topic... I just remembered how Much I enjoyed reading that and thought some who may not have been on ccf at the time would also enjoy it. Report this Post to the Staff
Not Mint to Be Valued Member United States 469 Posts	Posted 10/29/2013 12:07 am I really enjoy your comparisons. It will be great when you do your whole set this way. :) Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 188052 Posts	Posted 10/29/2013 10:13 am Two beautiful examples for comparison. I am partial to the circulated one, but I would not say no to the other one. 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 15403 Posts	Posted 10/29/2013 6:44 pm Many thanks for the kind replies ... I truly enjoy the passion of searching for these lovely coins ... and enjoy as well sharing of them with all of you. Quote: can you maybe provide the link to your thread from your visit to Antietam? Pleased to do so HONDO ... a visit to the Antietam National Battlefield is a very humbling and introspective experience ... my June 2012 thread below was created upon my return ... https://goccf.com/t/122397 It still gives me shivers to remember standing at the spot where so many Americans gave their lives on that fateful day. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
Doug58s Pillar of the Community United States 899 Posts	Posted 10/29/2013 7:39 pm Those are both truly beautiful coins. I would be thrilled to have either in my collection as well. Report this Post to the Staff
whywing Valued Member United States 75 Posts	Posted 10/30/2013 02:03 am That coin sure did circulate well, keep the comparisons coming! Report this Post to the Staff
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