The Classics #1: 1892/3 Columbian Exposition Half Dollar
LeeG
Posts: 12,162 ✭
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LeeG
Posts: 12,162 ✭
Comments
I will always be thorough on my reading of your posts on the Classics . . . great stuff ! I believe the writing does get a lot more interest than you may think . . . I know I don't always respond but I usually pick up things I was unaware of, even though I have a virtually complete Commem library.
Amazing how mch paraphenalia from the Exposition still exists . . . non-numismatic stuff!
Drunner
<< <i>Quantity Authorized:
5,000,000 (1892 and 1893)
Quantity Distributed:
1892: 950,000; 1893: 1,550,405 >>
Are either of those actual mintages? If not, what are the mintages?
<< <i>
<< <i>Quantity Authorized:
5,000,000 (1892 and 1893)
Quantity Distributed:
1892: 950,000; 1893: 1,550,405 >>
Are either of those actual mintages? If not, what are the mintages? >>
Mintage
The Columbian Half Dollar was minted exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint. A bill was passed on August 5, 1892 allowing no more than 5,000,000 to be produced for the fair. Mintage began on November 19, 1892.
Mintage for the 1892 Half Dollar numbered around 950,000. Mintage for the 1893 Half Dollar numbered 4,052,105; however 2,501,700 were returned to the mint for melting.
Proof strikes numbered 103 in 1892. Three of them were the 400th, 1,492nd and 1,892nd coins struck by the mint. These were in recognition of the 400th anniversary of the discovering of America, the year America was discovered, and the year of the anniversary.
An unknown amount of coins were retained for assay testing in 1892, and 2,105 were retained for assay testing in 1893.
The first struck half-dollar proof was bought by the Remington Typewriter Company, in a publicity stunt which garnered attention during the Exposition, for $10,000. The proofs were distributed to dignitaries and other Exposition officials. An unknown quantity of half-dollars were used as collateral against loans made to the Exposition by banks. When the Exposition failed to repay the debits, the banks dumped the coins into circulation.[1] Coins were sold at the exposition for one dollar.[2]
Date Mint Mark Mint Minted Proofs Melted Final Mintage
1892 None Philadelphia 950,000 103* ? 950,000[3]
1893 None Philadelphia 4,052,105 ? 2,501,700 1,550,405[3]
Proof mintage was added to the total of coins made.
Thanks for starting this Classic Commemorative series. I look forward to many hours of enjoyment reading the series information, and viewing CU members coins. Here is one of the first Classic Commemoratives I bought, bought it from Larry Shepherd in March of 1998.
Commems and Early Type
NGC 65
Commems and Early Type
Since grading hasn't been mentioned yet, I'll just add the following:
"Most Columbians have circulated to one degree or another and can grade anywhere between AG/AU. Many cleaned pieces exist and are sold as BU. They will have numerous hairlines and an unnatural appearance. Many uncirculated coins were poorly struck, particularly on Columbus' face and hair on the obverse and the mainsail on the reverse. In addition, many exhibit abrasion on this sail and excessive bag marks on both sides of the coin.
Gem and superb prooflike pieces are very underrated. The 1892 is at least twice as scarce as the 1893 in prooflike condition. Beware of prooflike specimens being offered for sale as proofs. Some of these prooflikes have been placed in the original proof leather holders. There were only 100 proofs made and very few survive today, so be very careful." - A Comprehensive Guide to United States Commemorative Coins - James S. Iacovo
"Columbus' eyebrow and cheekbone are the first locations to indicate a metal loss, as seen by a greyish-white metal texture. Do not confuse lack of metal fill marks in these areas or on the coin's devices with small nicks, cuts, or scratches, as they can look similar. [on the columbian reverse side] Relief is well protected by the rim. A metal loss will first be noticed on the vessel's upper point on the rear sail, center and upper sails, followed by a trace of wear on the Eastern [right] Hemisphere. Do not confuse striking weakness on the center sail's seams, or the slight loss of light cameo frost with wear.
Both dates are readily available in grades EF-40 through AU-55. Strict MS-60 Columbians cannot be labeled scarce but are not as abundant as many would believe. Variations in strike will run from full to strong to acceptable (for the issue) to weak. Areas of importance are Columbus' eyebrow, his hair detail, situated next to his forehead, his wide bottom hair curl (which normally displays little detail) contiguous to his lower obverse jaw, the Santa Maria's sail seams - especially the center sail - the vertical ribs, and the horizontal planking." - Commemorative Coins of The United States - Anthony Swiatek; first edition
- Jim
Interesting grading commentary. Here is one of those 1892 prooflike Columbians.
~
"America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
- Jim
<< <i>Thank you Mozin for suggesting an educational thread on this series, and Lee for initiating and propelling it forward. I love the Classic Commemorative series, and just pray that those who say it's a "dead in the water" series, will continue to believe that, so I can go on leisurely searching for and buying nice ones without having to deal with overwhelming competition for them.
Since grading hasn't been mentioned yet, I'll just add the following:
"Most Columbians have circulated to one degree or another and can grade anywhere between AG/AU. Many cleaned pieces exist and are sold as BU. They will have numerous hairlines and an unnatural appearance. Many uncirculated coins were poorly struck, particularly on Columbus' face and hair on the obverse and the mainsail on the reverse. In addition, many exhibit abrasion on this sail and excessive bag marks on both sides of the coin.
Gem and superb prooflike pieces are very underrated. The 1892 is at least twice as scarce as the 1893 in prooflike condition. Beware of prooflike specimens being offered for sale as proofs. Some of these prooflikes have been placed in the original proof leather holders. There were only 100 proofs made and very few survive today, so be very careful." - A Comprehensive Guide to United States Commemorative Coins - James S. Iacovo
"Columbus' eyebrow and cheekbone are the first locations to indicate a metal loss, as seen by a greyish-white metal texture. Do not confuse lack of metal fill marks in these areas or on the coin's devices with small nicks, cuts, or scratches, as they can look similar. Relief is well protected by the rim [on the reverse]. A metal loss will first be noticed on the vessel's upper point on the rear sail, center and upper sails, followed by a trace of wear on the Eastern [right] Hemisphere. Do not confuse striking weakness on the center sail's seams, or the slight loss of light cameo frost with wear.
Both dates are readily available in grades EF-40 through AU-55. Strict MS-60 Columbians cannot be labeled scarce but are not as abundant as many would believe. Variations in strike will run from full to strong to acceptable (for the issue) to weak. Areas of importance are Columbus' eyebrow, his hair detail, situated next to his forehead, his wide bottom hair curl (which normally displays little detail) contiguous to his lower obverse jaw, the Santa Maria's sail seams - especially the center sail - the vertical ribs, and the horizontal planking." - Commemorative Coins of The United States - Anthony Swiatek; first edition
* * Edited to add: I have been told by a member here that "NGC census currently shows 348 MS prooflike 1892s, but only 177 prooflike MS 1893s. Columbian 1893 MS prooflike specimens come to auction only half as often as 1892s, and they bring more money", so this is undoubtedly more accurate information regarding Columbian prooflike availability than what I quoted above from Iacovo's 1979 first edition book. - Jim * *
- Jim
- Jim
Anyone have any Proof's?? I think I might have one, but it would be a matte proof, nothing close to mirror - fields..
I would love to see a proof of this coin if anyone has one, thank you..
I think he might'a had acne...
Web Application Architect - ColdFusion, AJAX, CSS, XHTML, JavaScript, Oracle, MySQL
Web Application Architect - ColdFusion, AJAX, CSS, XHTML, JavaScript, Oracle, MySQL
Thank you. What an intersting an informative piece. I see a potential book here. I also see a lot more newbies getting interested in these classics commems. Although a section on what to watch out for/what to look for would be sweet. Not asking you to do it. Heck what you just wrote would have taken me weeks. Thanks again. And look forward to more.
Cool thread, and pics, thought I would add my 50c worth
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Great Post !
<< <i>Interesting Facts:
The first specimen struck was bought for $10,000 by the firm that made Remington typewriters, as a publicity stunt.
<< <i>
Another interesting fact, Remington purchased the first coin, but was actually given the second one. The first one had a plachet flaw so the second one was substituted.
- Jim
<< <i>Interesting spoon, Outhaul >>
Thanks. I actually have several. This one is the nicest.
Cheers,
Bob
Commems and Early Type
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Commems and Early Type
I always enjoy sharing this one..."-)
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
Heres one I used to own:
1/2 Cents
U.S. Revenue Stamps
colors are almost copperish but very nice details. It's in an old green holder PCI AU-58.
Mike.
Someday REAL American HERO's will be on our COINS.
rabbitracks toned showcase set
myurl
Here are a couple of photos that I took tonight to demonstrate the cameo contrast of this coin...
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
You paid the going rate for your Columbian. They appear so cheap simply because they are so pretty for so few dollars. When you consider how many Columbians are sitting around looking for a new owner, it all makes sense. You did well to buy a PCGS graded one.