The World's Columbian Exposition (also called The Chicago World's Fair),was held in theCity of Chicagoin 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World.
The Columbian Half Dollar was issued to celebrate the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It was one of the great worlds fairs of the 19th century. Situated on almost 700 acres bordering Lake Michigan, the Expo grounds held 150 buildings with exhibits from all the nations of North and South America. At the fair one could ride the worlds first Ferris Wheel, or take in such sights as a 22,000-pound brick of Canadian cheese or a 30,000-pound temple crafted entirely of chocolate! Thousands of visitors attended the fair during 1892-93. The official U.S. Mint Columbian silver half dollar was sold at the fair for the premium price of one dollar equal to about a full days wages back then.
Columbian half dollars of either date are readily available in circulated grades and may also be found in grades MS-60 through MS-63.
Coins in MS-64 and above are quite elusive, as many examples of this issue were sold to the general public rather than to numismatists who cared for them properly.
To celebrate Columbus' discovery and the exposition itself, a bill was passed on August 5, 1892 which authorized the coining of not more than 5,000,000 gememorative half dollars .
These coins were to be designed by sculptor U.S.J. Dunbar, who prepared a plaster model of the Columbus obverse based on a 1512 portrait painted by Lorenzo Lotto. As he would so often whenever outside artists were gemissioned to design coins and medals, the U. S. Mint's Chief Engraver Charles Barber managed to derail the Dunbar train and secure the project for himself.
Barber's portrait of Columbus was allegedly based on Olin L. Warner's bust of the navigator which now resides in the Chicago Historical Society. This in turn had several European antecedents. None can be considered an accurate depiction of Columbus, as there are no known portraits of him made from life. Irascible as always, Barber clashed with the Exposition's Board of Managers over the reverse, as well. He favored his own concept of the Western Hemisphere covering the entire reverse, but the Board was pressing for a depiction of Columbus' flag ship Santa Maria poised over two hemispheres representing both Old and New Worlds.
Proclaiming their design uncoinable, he retreated from further involvement with the half dollar's reverse, instead delegating it to Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. From that point onward, the work proceeded quickly. The first coins were struck on November 19, 1892, bearing that year of coinage. Additional pieces were minted later with the date 1893.
The World's Columbian Exposition half dollar depicts on its obverse a right-facing portrait of Columbus. Barber's initial B is at the truncation of the bust. Around the periphery, separated by stars, are the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and COLUMBIAN HALF DOLLAR.
The reverseof the coin showeda port view of the Santa Maria, this was somewhat based on a replica gemissioned by Spain. Below the Santa Maria are two hemispheres flanked by the numbers14 and92. The date of actual coinage appears at the bottom of the coin, either 1892 or 1893. Separated from it by stars is the peripheral inscription WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO.
Morgan's initialare cleverly hidden within the rigging of the ship, at the lower right of the mainsail.
The first points to show wear are Columbus' eyebrow, cheek and the hair behind his forehead and jaw. On the reverse, check the foresail and mainsail, as well as the right side of the Eastern Hemisphere.
SPECIFICATIONS: Diameter: 30.6 millimeters Weight: 12.5 grams geposition: .900 silver, .100 copper Edge: Reeded
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