½ Dollar Arkansas


Silver (.900)	12.50 g	30.60 mm

Description

Issuer	United States
Period	Federal republic (1776-date)
Type	Non-circulating coin
Years	1935-1939
Value	½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½&nbspUSD)
Currency	Dollar (1785-date)
Composition	Silver (.900)
Weight	12.50 g
Diameter	30.60 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Updated	2024-10-09

References

Numista	N#78897
Rarity index	55%

Reverse

Eagle with the Arkansas flag in the background.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ARKANSAS
IN GOD WE TRUST
E PLURIBUS UNUM
HALF DOLLAR
1935

Engravers: Edward Everett Burr, Emily Bates

Edge

Reeded

Comment

Commemorative coins were authorized to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the admission of Arkansas into the Union. The Arkansas Centennial Half Dollars ended up being issued during five separate years, across three different mints. The coins became controversial due to the stream of variations created specifically to market to collectors, as well as the escalating issue prices as mintage for later issues became smaller.

The obverse design features the head of Liberty and a Native American in headdress. The centennial dates “1836” and “1936” appear, along with the inscription “Arkansas Centennial” below and “Liberty” on Liberty’s cap. Although this is now considered to be the obverse of the coin, there was initially some confusion and US Mint records and some references refer to this side as the reverse. In 1936, a new design was issued for this side of the coin, featuring a Senator who was living at the time of issue. The 1936 Robinson-Arkansas Half Dollar is considered a separate issue by most collectors.

At the onset, the Arkansas Half Dollar was struck in a modest quantity of 13,012 pieces at the Philadelphia Mint with an additional 5,505 from Denver and 5,506 from San Francisco. The Philadelphia issues were sold at an issue price of $1 each, while the mint marked coins were purchased in a bulk transaction by a coin dealer and subsequently sold for $2.75 each. This initial situation was a taste of things to come.

In the following year, coins from three different mints were initially offered for $1 each, but the price was quickly raised to $1.50 per coin, and eventually sold as sets of three coins for $6.75. The following year three coin sets were sold at $8.75, which was eventually raised to $10. This would also be the price of the 1939 sets.

From the maximum authorized mintage of 500,000 coins, eventually there were 85,302 of the Arkansas Centennial Half Dollars sold across all years and mints. The centennial had been celebrated for a five year period including one year prior to the actual anniversary date.

Authorization: Public Law 73-225

Interesting fact

The Arkansas ½ Dollar coin from 1935-1939 features a unique design that showcases the state's natural beauty and history. The coin's reverse side depicts a representation of the state's natural resources, including a bison, a cotton plant, and a rice stalk, surrounded by the motto "The Natural State." This design was chosen to highlight Arkansas' rich natural heritage and its reputation as a leader in agriculture and natural resources.

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1935	13012	-	-	-	-	-	-
1935 D	5505	-	-	-	-	-	-
1935 S	5506	-	-	-	-	-	-
1936	9660	-	-	-	-	-	-
1936 D	9660	-	-	-	-	-	-
1936 S	9662	-	-	-	-	-	-
1937	5505	-	-	-	-	-	-
1937 D	5505	-	-	-	-	-	-
1937 S	5506	-	-	-	-	-	-
1938	3156	-	-	-	-	-	-
1938 D	3155	-	-	-	-	-	-
1938 S	3156	-	-	-	-	-	-
1939	2104	-	-	-	-	-	-
1939 D	2104	-	-	-	-	-	-
1939 S	2105	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Dollar (Arkansas) 1935-1939 coin.