1935 Old Spanish Trail Commemorative Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1935 Old Spanish Trail Commemorative Half Dollar is a United States commemorative half dollar. Issued in 1935 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Cabeza de Vaca's 1535 overland trek across what is now the southern United States. The Old Spanish Trail ran from Florida to the American Southwest. The longhorn skull obverse is one of the most iconic and recognizable designs in American numismatics. The obverse features a longhorn steer's skull facing forward, one of the most striking and unusual designs in the commemorative series, while the reverse displays a yucca tree with the route map of the Old Spanish Trail from St. Augustine, Florida, to El Paso, Texas. Designed by L.W. Hoffecker. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. With a low mintage of only 10,008 pieces, the Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar is one of the scarcer classic commemoratives. Its dramatic longhorn skull design makes it one of the most visually memorable coins in the entire series and a favorite among type collectors.