United States 1936 half dollar KM-179
Authorization
Legislation was passed May 15, 1936 which authorized the coining of not less than 25,000 Delaware Tercentenary half dollars, to be coined with a single design and at a single mint. The Delaware Swedish Tercentenary Commission was formed as the 300th anniversary of Swedish-American settlement approached, under the direction of C. L. Ward, chairman. Its purpose was to arrange for celebrations planned for 1938 commemorating the arrival of Swedes in America. Although the first landing had been in Delaware, the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey would also participate in celebrating their Swedish heritage
Obverse
Designated as the obverse by Artist, Carl Ludwig Schmitz (and as the reverse by the Mint), is the side depicting the Kalmar Nyckel under full sail. Below it is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM and the legend LIBERTY. Arranged in arcs around the periphery are DELAWARE TERCENTENARY and the commemorative dates ♦ 1638 ♦ 1938 ♦. These inscriptions are separated by three diamonds, a reference to Delaware's motto "The Diamond State" and to its three counties. The designer's initials CLS appear to the right of the ship
Reverse
The reverse is dominated by an elevation view of the Old Swedes Church, claimed to be the oldest remaining Protestant house of worship in the United States. Above it are the Sun's rays piercing through a cloud, while below are the motto IN GOD WE TRUST and the intended date of coining, 1936. Arranged around the periphery are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR.
Mintage
A total of 25,015 Delaware halves were coined in March, 1937 at the Philadelphia Mint (the odd 15 were reserved for assay). These were offered by the Delaware Swedish Tercentenary Commission at $1.75 per coin. Distribution was handled through the Equitable Trust Company of Wilmington, Delaware. Some 4,022 pieces failed to sell within the allotted time frame (presumably through the end of the 1938 celebrations), and these were returned to the Mint for melting. This leaves a net mintage of just 20,993 pieces.
Specification: 192.9 grains = 12.50 grams, 0.900 fine silver, 30.6 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 179.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Slabaugh, Arlie R., United States Commemorative Coinage, 2nd Ed., Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1975.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
Link to:
- 1935 half dollar, Connecticut Tercentenary
- 1935 half dollar, Hudson Sesquicentennial
- 1935-S half dollar, San Diego International Exposition
- 1935 half dollar, Old Spanish Trail
- 1936 cent
- 1936 half dollar, Albany Charter Anniversary
- 1936-S half dollar, Opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
- 1936 half dollar, Bridgeport centennial
- 1936 half dollar, Cincinnati Music Center
- 1936-D half dollar, Cincinnati Music Center
- 1936-S half dollar, Cincinnati Music Center
- 1936 half dollar, Cleveland-Great Lakes Exposition
- 1936 half dollar, Elgin centennial
- 1936 half dollar, Battle of Gettysburg
- 1936 half dollar, Long Island Tercentenary
- 1936 half dollar, Lynchburg Sesquicentennial
- 1936 half dollar, Norfolk Bicentennial
- 1936 half dollar, Arkansas-Robinson Centennial
- 1936 half dollar, Wisconsin Territorial Centennial
- 1936 half dollar, York County Tercentenary
- Coins and currency dated 1936
- return to United States Commemorative Coins, 1892-1954