1953 (S) Washington-Carver Half Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$20,563 MS67 02-05-2014 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1953 (S) Washington-Carver Half Dollar is a commemorative half dollar struck at the San Francisco Mint. The U.S. Mint produced 108,020 examples. Authorized in 1951 as a successor to the Booker T. The obverse features conjoined busts of Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver facing right, honoring two of America's most important African American figures, while the reverse displays a map of the United States superimposed with the inscription FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL and AMERICANISM. Designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway. Lower mintage year, with 8,003 pieces each from Denver and San Francisco. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #9440. The Washington-Carver Half Dollar holds the distinction of being the last classic silver commemorative half dollar. Mintages were generally high, making it one of the more affordable entries in the series, but it represents an important milestone in African American representation on U.S. coinage.