Numismatic

1923-S Monroe Doctrine Half XF

---

Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this 1923 silver coin carries a face value of 50 cents and contains 0.3617 troy ounces of precious metal. The issue features a modest mintage of 274,077 pieces, making it a compelling subject for study. This particular specimen is preserved in Extra Fine condition, displaying the clear details of its intricate, century-old design. The front of the coin displays the side-by-side portraits of James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, facing to the left. Legible inscriptions on this side include the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the denomination HALF DOLLAR. The dual dates of 1823 and 1923 are also present, alongside the names of the two statesmen. On the reverse, the design presents a stylized map of the Western Hemisphere. Two female figures are artfully posed to form the shapes of North and South America, representing the continents. This side also bears the inscription MONROE DOCTRINE CENTENNIAL, marking the one-hundred-year anniversary of the famous foreign policy declaration, along with the location of Los Angeles and the year 1923.