Numismatic

1925 Fort Vancouver Half Dollar AU

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The 1925 Fort Vancouver Centennial Half Dollar is a fascinating silver piece that commemorates a pivotal moment in the history of the Pacific Northwest. Struck by the United States Mint, this coin contains 0.3617 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900. It was produced with a relatively small mintage of just 14,994 pieces, making it a particularly intriguing issue for those who appreciate scarce early twentieth-century commemoratives. Designed by Laura Gardin Fraser, the coin features a detailed bust of Dr. John McLoughlin on the obverse. The surrounding inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "HALF DOLLAR", and "IN GOD WE TRUST", alongside the dual dates "1825" and "1925". Dr. McLoughlin was a key figure at Fort Vancouver, which was established between 1824 and 1825 to serve as a major fur-trading hub, replacing Fort George, which was formerly known as Fort Astoria. The fort represented the interests of the British Hudson's Bay Company during a unique period when the region was jointly occupied by both the United States and Great Britain under the terms of the Anglo-American Convention of 1818. The reverse of the coin depicts a pioneer settler standing armed with a musket, with the fort and Mount Hood visible in the background. The inscriptions on this side read "FORT VANCOUVER CENTENNIAL" and "FOUNDED 1825 BY HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY". This specimen is preserved in Almost Uncirculated condition, showcasing the intricate details of Fraser's design, from the texture of the pioneer's clothing to the rugged landscape of the Washington territory.