Numismatic

1926 Sesquicentennial Half (Low Grade/Cleaned)

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Issued in 1926 to mark the 150th anniversary of American independence, this silver half dollar holds a unique place in United States coinage. The obverse presents a dual portrait, pairing the nation's first president, George Washington, with the president in office at the time of the anniversary, Calvin Coolidge. This design marked the very first instance in American history where a living president's likeness was authorized to appear on an official United States coin. The reverse of the coin features a detailed depiction of the iconic Liberty Bell, symbolizing the birth of the nation in 1776. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, each coin is composed of 90 percent silver, containing 0.3617 troy ounces of precious metal. With a total mintage of 141,120 pieces, this issue remains a compelling artifact of early twentieth-century commemorative design, capturing a major national milestone through its distinctive presidential portraits.