1936 Bridgeport Centennial Half Dollar

In my experience, Bridgeport's are tough to find with nice color and lustre. I feel my newest arrival fit's the bill:






Coin on the way in the next couple days.


Just a little history:

“During September, 1936, the Philadelphia Mint struck 25,015 pieces which was the minimum issue under the Act. These were distributed by the commission, the Bridgeport Centennial, Inc., Milton F. Friedberg, Centennial financial committee chairman, said that each applicant is limited to the purchase of not more than five coins and that all applications will be filled in the order of their receipt. Each coin will be sold at $2 net and this price includes the usual distribution charges.

The chairman further said the market for the coins will be thoroughly protected and purchasers are assured there will be no deviation from the above price. Distribution in Bridgeport will be through the local banking institutions and out-of-town applicants will be cared for by Charles H. Hurliman of the First National Bank and Trust Company.

In formulating the design for the commemorative coin, the Centennial executive committee decided to have an American eagle on one side; while on the reverse side will be a likeness of the head of Phineas Taylor Barnum. Recognition of Barnum is because of the many outstanding civic deeds that he performed for the advancement of Bridgeport, which included the gift of Seaside Park to the city and the up building of the East side of the city. Also, because of the fact that Barnum was Mayor of Bridgeport and during his term of office, he worked diligently for the betterment of the city he called ‘home.”1

1. The Numismatist, Bridgeport's Half Dollar to Have Barnum's Portrait, September, 1936, p. 714.


The proceeds were used to defray the costs of celebrations held in the city during the year. The coins were issued in small presentation boxes, and were sold at two dollars each. Many of the banks in Bridgeport offered the coins for sale.
On this design, the eagle's beak and some of the lettering on the reverse extend into the border milling, a feature which has not appeared in any other issue.

“…We have received the following information relative to the coin from W. B. Aurandt, managing director of Bridgeport Centennial, Inc.:
‘In addition to the world-wide fame of P. T. Barnum as a showman, we look upon him with a great deal of respect as a fine citizen and philanthropist of our city. He served as our Mayor in the year 1875. In 1851 he purchased a tract of land in East Bridgeport, laid out streets and lined them with trees. He also reserved a grove of eight acres, which is now known as Washington Park. This was the beginning of an industrial development in our city which has since grown to great proportions. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Barnum who was among the first to take action toward acquiring thirty acres of land which he gave to the city. This land comprised our original Seaside Park, which has since been enlarged to 210 acres and has one of the finest locations in New England, with a seawall 2 ½ miles long.

‘We believe it most fitting and desirable to pay tribute to Mr. Barnum by having issued a commemorative half dollar bearing a likeness of his profile. The issue is 25,000, and will not entertain an additional coinage. We are now filling applications for approximately 18,000 coins and the demand is continuing to be evident both from local and out-of-town reservations. The coin is delivered insured, postpaid, packed in a beautiful, blue, gold-imprinted container at a cost of $2.00 each, the proceeds being allocated to help defray our Centennial celebration expenses.'”2

2. The Numismatist, Bridgeport's Half Dollar , November 1936, p. 911.