Numismatic

1936 Columbia, SC Half Dollar MS-66 NGC

---

In 1936, the United States minted a special silver half dollar to mark a significant milestone for South Carolina's capital city. This commemorative coin, struck with a silver purity of 90 percent, contains 0.3617 troy ounces of precious metal. With a remarkably low mintage of just 9,007 pieces, it remains a fascinating study in early twentieth-century American commemorative design. The obverse of the coin depicts Lady Justice standing with her traditional sword and scales. Flanking her are two distinct representations of the state's legislative home: the original Capitol building from 1786 on the left, and the newer Capitol building of 1936 on the right. This side features inscriptions celebrating the capital centennial, alongside the word Liberty and the dual years of 1786 and 1936. On the reverse, the design showcases a detailed palmetto tree, which serves as the official state emblem of South Carolina. This particular specimen has survived the decades in an exceptional state of preservation, certified by professional graders at a high Mint State 66 level, highlighting the crisp details of both the intricate buildings and the textured palmetto leaves.