Numismatic

1927 Vermont Half Dollar Commem BU

---

In 1927, the United States Mint released a special silver half dollar marking a significant milestone in Vermont's regional history. Struck in Philadelphia, this commemorative coin contains 0.3617 troy ounces of silver, with a total purity of 90 percent. The entire production run for this issue was limited to just 28,142 pieces, making it a fascinating artifact of early twentieth-century American coinage. The design of the coin, crafted by artist Charles Keck, presents a powerful visual story on both sides. The obverse features a profile portrait of Ira Allen, recognized as the founder of Vermont. His likeness is rendered with clean, classic lines that capture the spirit of the state's early leadership. On the reverse, Keck depicted a catamount, a wild cougar native to the region, walking purposefully toward the left. This choice of imagery brings a wild, natural element to the coinage of the era. The inscriptions on the coin include the dual dates of 1777 to 1927, referencing the anniversary of the events being celebrated.