90% Silver George Washington Carver Commemorative Half Dollar (1951-54) in circulated condition
The U.S. Mint has produced a number of coins to commemorate various persons, events, and institutions. While these coins are legal tender, most are intended for collectors rather than general circulation. Since the mintage of many was limited, some have become quite valuable to collectors.
Early and Modern U.S. Commemorative Coins
A quarter made in 1892 in observance of the Colombian Exposition to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to America isgenerally accepted as the first U.S. commemorative coin. Dozens of other coins were made on various occasions until the program was suspended in 1954 due to numerous complaints about the appropriateness of their subjects. Commemorative coin production resumed in 1982 with a half dollar that celebrated the 250th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
This gap in production has resulted in coins made before 1955 to be known as Early Commemoratives and those from 1982 onward as Modern Commemoratives. The last of the Early Commemoratives was a half dollar coin to replace the Booker T. Washington half that had been produced between 1946 and 1951.
The George Washington Carver Commemorative Half Dollar
This was the height of the post-war Red Scare and McCarthyism, and one of the original design proposals carried the American Legion seal and the inscription “United Against Communism.” It was a heavy-handed attempt to appeal to African-Americans who were thought by some at that time to be particularly susceptible to communist propaganda.
Fortunately, that design was rejected in favor of one by Isaac Scott Hathaway featuring a profile of George Washington Carver superimposed over that of Booker T. Washington. The reverse showed a map of the U.S. surrounded by the inscription “Freedom and Opportunity For All.” The word “Americanism” appeared at the bottom, below the map (which curiously omitted Delaware), an awkward but more subtle attempt to address the anti-communist sentiment of the time.
The coin’s design was widely panned as both ugly and inappropriate, and its production ended in 1954, making it the last of the Early Commemorative coins.
Collect the Last Early Commemorative Coin
The Great American Coin Company® is pleased to offer the George Washington Carver commemorative half dollar to our customers. This is an important coin for collectors and historians alike, and is especially significant for students of American social history. Our George Washington Carver half dollars are genuine U.S. mint 90% silver coins in circulated condition with random dates from 1951-1954. They offer a rare opportunity to add historical context to any coin collection and make great gifts that remind recipients of an important chapter in our country’s evolution.
George Washington Carver 90% silver half dollars are just part of a wide selection of collectible U.S. coins and paper money as well as currency from around the world offered byThe Great American Coin Company. Our inventory of these important coins is limited, so act now while they’re still available.
We keep adding unique collectibles as they become available, so be sure to visit us frequently. And while you’re there, be sure to visit our blog for interesting and timely articles about currency and precious metals.
