Numismatic

1936 Arkansas Centennial Half Dollar MS-65 PCGS

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In 1936, the United States minted a special silver half dollar to honor the one hundredth anniversary of Arkansas joining the Union. This commemorative coin, struck with a silver purity of 0.900, contains 0.3617 troy ounces of precious metal. With a original mintage of just 9,660 pieces, this specific coin has survived in an exceptional state of preservation, certified by experts at a high grade of Mint State 65. The obverse of the coin presents a striking visual contrast, showing the jugate profiles of an Indigenous chief from 1836 alongside a modern American young woman from 1935. This dual portrait represents the passage of a century, flanked by the dates of the centennial. The design was created by Edward Everett Burr, with the physical models prepared by Emily Bates. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is depicted with wings spread, standing before the Arkansas state flag. The inscriptions on this side include the issuing nation, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", and the face value of "HALF DOLLAR". Traditional national mottos like "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are also integrated into the design, making this issue a fascinating study in American commemorative art.