1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Silver Half Dollar About Uncirculated

Product Description

Did you know that the appearance of Silent Cal on the obverse of this commemorative half dollar was technically illegal? In 1866, Congress issued an act stating that no living person could appear on U.S. currency. But when this half dollar was minted in 1926 for the 150th anniversary of American Independence, Calvin Coolidge was the nation's sitting president — and still very much alive! While he was not the first living American to pop up on currency, he was the first living President to do so. The coin's obverse depicts jugate busts; in the foreground is the long-dead George Washington, while Coolidge peeks out from behind him. The reverse may look familiar — the Liberty Bell engraving designed by John R. Sinnock was also used on the later Franklin half dollar. Although one million 50¢ pieces were authorized and struck, just 141,120 sold and the rest were later melted; that low mintage translates to a higher value in today's market. About Uncirculated quality.