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Long Island Tercentenary (1936) Coin Auctions

This souvenirs issue was authorized to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first white settlement of Long Island, which was made at Jamaica Bay by Dutch colonists. The design was prepared by Howard Kenneth Weinman, son of the sculptor A. A. Weinman, who design the regular Liberty Walking type half dollar. Accolated heads depicting a Dutch settler and an Indian are shown on the obverse, while a Dutch sailing vessel […]

Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial (1925) Half Dollar Auctions

The two famous battle fought in 1775 are commemorated on this coin. A statue of the familiar Minute Man is depicted on the obverse, and the Old Belfry at Lexington is the reverse device. Chester Beach designed the coin. The famous statue by Daniel Chester French located in Concord was used for the design.

Lewis and Clark Exposition (1904 – 1905) Gold Dollar Auction

The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition was held in Portland, Oregon in 1905. A souvenir issue of gold dollars was struck to mark the event with the dates 1904 and 1905. The two famous explorers are represented on either side of the coin, which was designed by Charles E. Barber. A bronze memorial of the Indian guide, Sacagawea, who assisted in the famous expedition, was erected in Portland, Oregon and […]

1900 Lafayette Dollar Auction

The heads of George Washington and the marquis de Lafayette appear on this issue which was the first commemorative coin of one-dollar denomination and the first authorized United States coin to bear a portrait of a US president. The dies were prepared by Charles E. Barber. The statue on the reverse is similar to the monument of General Lafayette that was erected in Paris as a gift of the American […]

World’s Columbian Exposition, Isabella Quarter Auction

In 1893, the board of Lady managers of the World’s Columbian Exposition petitioned for a souvenir quarter dollar. Authority was granted March 3, 1893 The coin known as the Isabella quarter was designed by Charles E. Barber. These quarters were sold for $1. The observe has the crowned bust of Queen Isabella I of Spain. The kneeling female on the reverse with distaff and spindle is emblematic of women’s industry.

Illinois Centennial (1918) Coin Auctions

This coin was authorized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the admission of Illinois into the Union, and was the first souvenir piece for such event. The obverse was designed by George T. Morgan and the reverse by J.R. Sinnock. The obverse shows the head of Lincoln taken from the Statue by Andrew O’Connor in Springfield, Illinois. The reverse is based on the Illinois State Seal.

Huguenot Walloon Tercentenary (1924) Half Dollar Auctions

Settling of the Huguenots and Walloons in the New World was the occasion commemorated by this issue. New Netherland, now New York was founded in 1624 by a group of Dutch colonists. The persons represented on the obverse were not directly concerned with the occasion, however. They are Admiral Coligny and William the Silent. The reverse shows the vessel Niuew Nederland. George T. Morgan prepared the models for this coin.

Hudson, New York, Sesquicentennial (1935) Coin Auctions

The souvenir half dollar marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of Hudson, New York which was named after the explorer Henry Hudson. The designs, by, Chester Beach, shows Hudson’s flagship, the half moon in the obverse and the seal of the City of Hudson on the reverse. Details of the seal include representations of Neptune with trident on a spouting whale and a mermaid blowing a conch shell.

Hawaiian Sesquicentennial (1928) Half Dollar Auctions

This issue was struck by commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Hawaiian Island of Captain James Cook in 1778. The design was sketch by Juliette May Fraser of Honolulu and executed by Chester Beach. Captain Cook is shown on the obverse and native chief on the reverse. The coin was distributed in 1928 and sold for $2 each, the highest initial sale price up to that time.

Grant Memorial (1922) Half Dollar & Gold Coin Auctions

This coin was struck during 1922 as a centenary souvenir of Ulysses S. Grant’s birth. A star that appeared on the first issues was later removed, creating a second variety. The star has no particular significance. The reverse shows the frame house in Point Pleasant, Ohio, where Grant was born on April 27, 1822. Laura Gardin Fraser designed both the Grant half dollar and gold dollar. Like the half dollar […]