© Purzelgnom
© Purzelgnom
½ Dollar Booker T. Washington Memorial
| Silver (.900) | 12.5 g | 30.6 mm |
| Issuer | United States |
|---|---|
| Period | Federal republic (1776-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Years | 1946-1951 |
| Value | ½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½ USD) |
| Currency | Dollar (1785-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.900) |
| Weight | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#4400 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 14% |
Reverse
An image of the Hall of Fame at New York University and a log cabin.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL
FROM SLAVE CABIN TO HALL OF FAME
IN GOD WE TRUST FRANKLIN COUNTY VA.
☆ LIBERTY ☆
Engraver: Issac Scott Hathaway
Edge
Reeded
Comment
The Booker T. Washington Half Dollars were minted in large numbers for the first year of issue and offered by the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Commission priced at $1 for the Philadelphia or San Francisco issues and $1.50 for the lower mintage Denver issue. Although a large number were sold, a number of coins were melted and some appear to have been released into circulation.In subsequent years, the coins were offered by coin firms engaged as authorized agents of the commission for $6 per three-coin set. Mintages were considerably lower for these later issues, with the exception of the 1950 San Francisco and 1951 Philadelphia issues. These coins were minted in larger quantities as part of a promotion involving schools and hospitals. Records involving this issue are somewhat incomplete, resulting in estimated distribution figures included below.
This issue was not produced with the care exercised for most previous commemorative coins. Many pieces will have abrasions or contact marks on the highest points of the design, most notably the cheek of the obverse portrait. Complaints about the condition of the coins were common during the period of issuance.
Red Book has different mintages. They are in the comment section of the coins.
Interesting fact
The Booker T. Washington Memorial Half Dollar was the first coin issued by the United States Mint to honor an African American. It was minted from 1946 to 1951 and features an image of Booker T. Washington, a prominent educator and civil rights leader, on the obverse (front side), and the Liberty Bell on the reverse (back side). The coin was designed by sculptor Isaac Scott Hathaway and was produced in a limited quantity, with only 20,000 minted in total. Due to its low mintage and historical significance, the Booker T. Washington Memorial Half Dollar is considered a rare and valuable collector's item.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 1000546 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1946 D | 200113 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1946 S | 500729 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1947 | 100017 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1947 D | 100017 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1947 S | 100017 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1948 | 8005 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1948 D | 8005 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1948 S | 8005 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1949 | 6004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1949 D | 6004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1949 S | 6004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1950 | 6004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1950 D | 6004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1950 S | 512091 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1951 | 51082 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1951 D | 7004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1951 S | 7004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Dollar (Booker T. Washington Memorial) 1946-1951 coin.
