Numismatic

1921 Missouri Tercentenary Half Dollar Commem AU

---

In 1921, the United States marked the centennial of Missouri's entry into the Union with a special commemorative silver half dollar. This coin, struck in 90% silver, captures the spirit of the early American frontier through its detailed imagery. Designed by Robert Aitken, the coin was minted in a relatively small run of just 10,428 pieces, making it a fascinating subject for study. The obverse of the coin features the profile of a rugged frontiersman, wearing a traditional buckskin coat and a coonskin cap. The year of Missouri's statehood, 1821, is paired with the year of the coin's issue, 1921, directly on the face of the coin. On the reverse, the design depicts a powerful meeting between two figures: a standing frontiersman holding a rifle and pointing toward the West, and an Native American man sitting nearby. This interaction symbolizes the historical convergence of cultures on the Missouri frontier. The coin was produced in two distinct versions, a standard 'Plain' variety and a special '2*4' variety, with the latter mark symbolizing Missouri's status as the 24th state to join the United States.