Following the first minting of the 1892 Columbian Exposition half dollar, the first official United States commemorative coin, the US Mint released a second run of Columbian halves in 1893. While the World's Columbian Exposition was intended to open in 1892 to honor the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' transatlantic expedition in 1492, the event did not start until 1893. The United States Mint sold more than 1.5 million of the 1893 Columbian half dollars at the fair for $1 each.
The Columbian Expo half dollars were designed by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan. Though seeing a large mintage, the 1893 Columbian half dollar was widely distributed, many did not wind up in proper coin collections but rather were spent. In fact, most Columbian halves today show wear.
Following the first minting of the 1892 Columbian Exposition half dollar, the first official United States commemorative coin, the US Mint released a second run of Columbian halves in 1893. While the World's Columbian Exposition was intended to open in 1892 to honor the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' transatlantic expedition in 1492, the event did not start until 1893. The United States Mint sold more than 1.5 million of the 1893 Columbian half dollars at the fair for $1 each.
The Columbian Expo half dollars were designed by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan. Though seeing a large mintage, the 1893 Columbian half dollar was widely distributed, many did not wind up in proper coin collections but rather were spent. In fact, most Columbian halves today show wear.
