½ Dollar Providence, Rhode Island Tercentenary

Reverse

An anchor and shield motif, adopted from the Rhode Island state seal.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
: UNITED · STATES · OF · AMERICA :
HALF · DOLLAR
· HOPE ·
E · PLURIBUS · UNUM

Engravers: John Howard Benson, Arthur Graham Carey

Edge

Reeded

Comment

This commemorative coin most commonly referred to as the 1936 Rhode Island Tercentenary Half Dollar was actually issued to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of Providence by Roger Williams. The maximum authorized mintage was 50,000 pieces, of which the entire amount was produced across three mint facilities and distributed to the public.

Designs for the coins were created by John Howard Benson and Arthur Graham Carey. Their original models did include reference to the Providence with inscriptions around the outer edge of the coin on the obverse “In a scene of God’s Merciful providence until me, called the place Providence” and on the reverse “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation Tercentenary”. These lengthy inscriptions were not used in the final version of the design. These designs were struck in low relief, but with sharply designed elements that resemble a woodcut.

Including pieces struck for assay, the Philadelphia Mint produced 20,013, the Denver Mint 15,010, and the San Francisco Mint 15,011. The Rhode Island Half Dollars were issued for $1 each and said to have sold out quickly, however it was later suspected that some insiders held back portions of their allotments in order to sell them to the public at higher prices after the so-called sell out.

Due to the nature of the design, contact marks may be prominent on the obverse and reverse. A small number of the coins are found with proof like surfaces, and these pieces command a premium.

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1936	20013	-	-	-	-	-	-
1936 D	15010	-	-	-	-	-	-
1936 S	15011	-	-	-	-	-	-

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