1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar is a United States commemorative half dollar. Struck in 1923 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, which declared that the Western Hemisphere was closed to future European colonization. The coin was sold at the American Historical Revue and Motion Picture Industrial Exposition in Los Angeles rather than at an event directly related to the Monroe Doctrine. The obverse features conjoined busts of Presidents James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, who formulated the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, while the reverse displays two female figures representing North and South America, shown as an outline map of the Western Hemisphere. Designed by Chester Beach. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Despite a relatively high mintage of 274,077 pieces, the Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar is notable for its dual presidential portrait and its connection to one of the most important foreign policy declarations in American history.