1968 Medal Illinois Sesquicentennial Silver

Coin Details

Description

This 1968 silver medal commemorates the sesquicentennial of Illinois statehood. Illinois was admitted to the Union as the twenty-first state on December 3, 1818, and the 1968 celebrations marked 150 years of statehood. Illinois has played a central role in American history as the adopted home state of Abraham Lincoln, a major hub of westward expansion, the site of Chicago's emergence as a world-class metropolis, and a perennial battleground in national politics. The silver composition elevates this beyond a simple souvenir to a collectible commemorative. Bronze medals have served as the workhorse composition for American commemoratives, providing a durable and affordable medium that allowed broad distribution while maintaining the artistic quality of the original designs. Illinois sesquicentennial celebrations included events across the state highlighting its contributions to American agriculture, industry, culture, and political life.

Rarity Notes

Silver sesquicentennial medal. Illinois 150th anniversary of statehood. Limited silver production.

Cross References

PCGS #925172; Illinois Sesquicentennial 1968; 150 Years of Statehood