© Ben-jamin (CC0)
© Ben-jamin (CC0)
½ Dollar Oregon Trail Memorial
| Silver (.900) | 12.5 g | 30.6 mm |
| Issuer | United States |
|---|---|
| Period | Federal republic (1776-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Years | 1926-1939 |
| Value | 50 Cents (0.50 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#9258 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 33% |
Reverse
Full figure of a Native American in headdress. He stands before a map of the United States with the Oregon Trail marked, with his left hand outstretched to the east and a bow in his right hand spanning the continent.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HALF DOLLAR
Engraver: Laura Gardin Fraser
Edge
Reeded
Comment
Despite having one of the most beautiful designs in the series, the Oregon Trail Half Dollar is usually cited as the best example of the abuses which began to take place within commemorative coin programs. Between the years 1926 and 1939, the coins were minted with eight different dates at three different mint facilities for varying prices, in an attempt to make as much money as possible.The maximum authorized mintage for the program was set at a lofty 6 million pieces, which was the largest authorization for commemorative coin thus far. For the first year of issue, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and San Francisco Mint and offered by the Oregon Trail Memorial Association for $1 each.
Since the law authorizing the coins did not include a specific time frame or mint, the Association requested more coins struck in subsequent years and from different mints. Additional coins would be minted in 1928, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, variously at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Individual coin pricing varied from $1.50 to $2.00 to $1.60. The final two years were sold as complete sets from all three mints for $6.25 and later $7.50 each.
Despite the vast number of different issues for the Oregon Trail Half Dollars, ultimately only 264,419 coins were sold. All coins remain relatively accessible for collectors of today, despite some lower mintages. Some issues are available in exceptionally high grades at relatively affordable prices.
Authorization: Public Law 69-235
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 6,000,000
Interesting fact
The Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser and features a pioneer family on the obverse (front) side, and a map of the Oregon Trail on the reverse (back) side.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 47955 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1926 S | 83055 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1928 | 6028 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1933 D | 5008 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1934 D | 7006 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1936 | 10006 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1936 S | 5006 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1937 D | 12008 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1938 | 6006 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1938 D | 6005 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1938 S | 6006 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1939 | 3004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1939 D | 3004 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1939 S | 3005 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Dollar (Oregon Trail Memorial) 1926-1939 coin.
