1893 US COLUMBIAN HALF DOLLAR

[-Jones-]

I found this coin and really not sure what it is? On the front it's identified as

United States of America
Columbian Half dollar

on the back

World's Columbian Exposition Chicago
1492
1893

Is it related to Christopher Columbus's 1492 gig and given out at a World's Fair type event?

 

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[Heavy Chevy]

Hey Ric,


A beauty of a coin.
My 2006 Redbook lists the 1893 mintage at 1,550,405.
Value in AU50 about $16.00.
They were released for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago and sold for $1.00 each to tourists.

Great find !!

Mike in SC

 

[whitesid]

thats a commeritive coin some more info can be found from this
http://www.coinsite.com/content/Commemoratives/ColumbianHalf.asp

 

[kierdan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/1893-Columbian-...22QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4164QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"It was the first commermorative coin authorized by the U.S. Congress honoring the first person to discover the "New World." This historic U.S. SILVER Columbus Half Dollar was issued in 1892-1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition, and was the keystone of the U.S. Commemorative Coin Series. Charles E. Barber engraved the bust of Columbus on the obverse. The reverse features a finely detailed image of Columbus' flagship, the Santa Maria, above two hemispheres."

Found this info on ebay so take it for what its worth I guess

 

[stud564]

awesome find

 

[EDDE]

the 1892 is the better of the 2 dates

 

[Cannonman17]

Superb find! That coin would probably grade as a Very Good.

 

[buscadero]

8) Congrads, Ric! You found one of the 1st Commemorative Coins ever ! You are lucky! It's not often that one finds a Comm. MD'ing.

 

[bomber]

awesome find