1936 Battle of Gettysburg Half Dollar
Purpose:
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and to defray the cost of the federally-funded reunion.
Maximum Number Authorized: 50,000 pieces.
Sale Price: $1.65
Designs:
Obverse – Frank Vittor
Busts of a Confederate and Union veteran in uniform facing right. “BLUE AND GRAY REUNION” appears at the bottom of the outer border.
Online Resource:
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2017/06/the_blue_and_the_gray_reunited.html
Reverse – Frank Vittor
Shields of the Union and Confederate armies are located in the center, divided by a double-bladed fasces. At the sides of the shields are oak and olive branches symbolizing war and peace. On the outer border is located the words “1863 75th ANNIVERSARY 1938 BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.”
Online Resource: https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-gettysburg
Popularity:
50,000 dollars were struck for sale to the public. Remarkably for such a popular historic event, 23,100 coins remained unsold and were returned to the Mint for melting.
Trivia:
The Gettysburg half dollar was offered for sale at the Blue and Gray Reunion, which began on July 1, 1938.
The coin was authorized and dated 1936, minted in 1937, and commemorated an event that took place in 1938.
Approximately 70 veterans who participated in the battle attended the reunion.
1,359 Union soldiers and 486 Confederate soldiers attended. It is estimated that 8,000 veterans were living at the time of the 1938 reunion.
Three veterans died during the reunion.
Several women participated at the Battle of Gettysburg. The body of a female who participated in Pickett's Charge was recovered after the battle.
For more information:
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek
KWS Publishers (2012)
Commemorative Coins of the United States Identification and Price Guide by Anthony J. Swiatek
Amos Press Publishers (2001)
The Last Reunion of the Blue and Gray by Paul L. Roy
Published by The Bookmart (1950)
References:
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek
KWS Publishers (2012)
The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins 1892 to 1954 by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen
Arco Publishing, Inc. (1981)
The Gettysburg half dollar was offered for sale at the Blue and Gray Reunion, which began on July 1, 1938.
The coin was authorized and dated 1936, minted in 1937, and commemorated an event that took place in 1938.
Approximately 70 veterans who participated in the battle attended the reunion.
1,359 Union soldiers and 486 Confederate soldiers attended. It is estimated that 8,000 veterans were living at the time of the 1938 reunion.
Three veterans died during the reunion.
Several women participated at the Battle of Gettysburg. The body of a female who participated in Pickett's Charge was recovered after the battle.
