1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar
The 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar was issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and to help finance the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint with up to 1,000,000 pieces authorized, the coin was designed by John Sinnock. The obverse features the heads of George Washington and Calvin Coolidge facing right, while the reverse depicts the cracked Liberty Bell, surrounded by the inscription “Sesquicentennial of American Independence.”
1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar
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Purpose
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and to help finance the Sesquicentennial Exposition held in Philadelphia.
Maximum Number Authorized
1,000,000 pieces
Sale Price
$1.00
Designs
Obverse – John Sinnock
Heads of George Washington and Calvin Coolidge facing right. The designer’s initials appear on the truncation of Washington’s bust.
George Washington Biography
Calvin Coolidge Biography
Reverse – John Sinnock
The cracked Liberty Bell is centered in the field. Inside the raised border is the inscription “Sesquicentennial of American Independence.”
Popularity
All authorized coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. However, demand was overestimated. Although the exposition was well attended, public interest in the coin was limited. As a result, 859,408 pieces were returned to the Mint and melted.
Sesquicentennial Exposition
Learn more about the Sesquicentennial Exposition
Trivia
- Calvin Coolidge is the only living president to appear on a United States coin.
- The first half dollar struck was presented to Coolidge at the exposition.
- The names “Pass and Stow” on the Liberty Bell refer to the company that recast it after cracking.
- The exposition featured an 80-foot Liberty Bell replica illuminated by 26,000 light bulbs.
Further Reading
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States
Anthony J. Swiatek. KWS Publishers, 2012
Commemorative Coins of the United States: Identification and Price Guide
Anthony J. Swiatek. Amos Press, 2001
Sesqui!: Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926
Thomas H. Keels. Temple University Press, 2017
References
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States
Anthony J. Swiatek. KWS Publishers, 2012
The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins, 1892–1954
Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen. Arco Publishing, 1981