½ Dollar (Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial) 1936 front ½ Dollar (Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial) 1936 back
½ Dollar (Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial) 1936 photo
© World Coin Gallery

½ Dollar Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial

1936 year
Silver (.900) 12.50 g 30.60 mm
Description
Issuer
United States
Period
Federal republic (1776-date)
Type
Non-circulating coin
Year
1936
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
Orientation
Coin alignment ↑↓
Updated
2024-10-09
References
Numista
N#78983
Rarity index
78%

Reverse

Standing Liberty on the front of the old court.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LYNCHBURG VIRGINIA SESQUI-CENTENNIAL
E · PLURIBUS UNUM
1786
1936
HALF DOLLAR

Engraver: Charles Keck

Edge

Reeded

Comment

One of a few early commemorative coins to feature the likeness of a living person is the 1936 Lynchburg Sesquicentennial Half Dollar. The coins were issued to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Lynchburg, a city in Virginia.

The obverse of the coins depicts Virginia Senator Carter Glass. As mentioned, he was living at the time the coins were minted and issued. Other living persons to appear on commemorative coins include Governor Thomas E. Kilby on the 1921 Alabama Half Dollar and Senator Joseph T. Robinson on the 1936 Robinson-Arkansas Half Dollar.

On the reverse is a depiction of Liberty, standing before the Lynchburg courthouse. Interestingly, this is one of only two early commemoratives to feature an image of Liberty, the other being the 1926 Sesquicentennial Gold Quarter Eagle. The designs for the coin were prepared by Charles Keck, who had designed a few other previous commemorative issues.

The 1936 Lynchburg Half Dollar was authorized with a minimum mintage of 20,000 pieces and no specified maximum. The final mintage was 20,013, which includes the pieces struck for assay. Initial pricing was quite reasonable at $1 per coin through the Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial Association. The entire mintage sold out, with relatively wide distribution. Present day collectors can find the coins readily available, even in gem grade.

Authorization: Public Law 74-485

Interesting fact

The Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial half dollar was designed by sculptor Charles Keck and features a portrait of Liberty on the obverse and a depiction of Lynchburg's Old Court House on the reverse.

Price

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1936  20013 - - - - - -

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Dollar (Lynchburg, Virginia Sesquicentennial) 1936 coin.