1923 Half Dollar Pattern - J-2030, Monroe

Coin Details

Auction Record

$949 MS65BN 08-14-2019 eBay

Description

Judd-2030, Pollock-2220, is a pattern for the 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial commemorative half dollar, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of President James Monroe's declaration of the Monroe Doctrine on December 2, 1823. The adopted commemorative half dollar featured two female heads representing North and South America on the obverse and a map of the Western Hemisphere on the reverse, designed by Chester Beach. The Monroe Doctrine Centennial half dollar was produced with a mintage of 274,077 pieces and was distributed at the 1923 Los Angeles exposition celebrating the anniversary. This pattern documents an alternative design proposal evaluated before Beach's final design was approved. The Monroe Doctrine Centennial is notable in commemorative history as one of several 1920s issues whose sales were bolstered by distribution at a major exposition, a marketing strategy that would become increasingly common and eventually controversial during the classic commemorative era.

Rarity Notes

R-7. Extremely rare. Monroe Doctrine Centennial patterns are very scarce, with few appearances at major auctions.

Cross References

Judd J-2030, Pollock P-2220; Monroe Doctrine Centennial commemorative half dollar; Chester Beach (designer of adopted version)