Numismatic

1936 Cleveland/Great Lakes Half Dollar MS-65 NGC

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In 1936, the United States commemorated the Cleveland Centennial and Great Lakes Exposition with a specially designed silver half dollar. This fifty-cent piece, struck in 90% fine silver with a precious metal weight of 0.3617 troy ounces, serves as a fascinating numismatic map and historical marker of the Great Lakes region. The front of the coin features a profile bust of Moses Cleaveland, the founder of the Ohio city that bears his name. The design is complemented by the traditional inscription of liberty, rendered on the coin face as LIBERTY. On the reverse side, the coin displays a detailed cartographic representation of the Great Lakes area. A compass rose points directly to the city of Cleveland, highlighting its central role in the regional exposition. Nine distinct stars are placed across the map, each marking a major Great Lakes city. This particular coin has been professionally graded as Mint State 65 (MS-65), preserving the intricate details of its unique geographical design.