1968-FM Medal Illinois Sesquicentennial Silver

Coin Details

Description

This 1968 Franklin Mint silver medal commemorates the Illinois Sesquicentennial — the 150th anniversary of Illinois statehood, which was achieved on December 3, 1818. Illinois, the 21st state, played pivotal roles in American expansion, the Lincoln story, the growth of Chicago as a commercial metropolis, and the development of the American Midwest. The sesquicentennial celebration in 1968 generated commemorative items including this Franklin Mint silver medal. State anniversary medals were a reliable market for the Franklin Mint during the 1960s and 1970s, as state pride and historical awareness combined to create demand for premium commemoratives. Silver composition provided the quality that Franklin Mint subscribers expected for state celebrations, and Illinois' large population ensured strong interest in the sesquicentennial medal.

Rarity Notes

Sterling silver, Franklin Mint 1968. Illinois Sesquicentennial. State anniversary medals have strong local collector interest.

Cross References

PCGS #925170; Franklin Mint Illinois Sesquicentennial, Silver