George Washington 250th Anniversary Half Dollar

The George Washington 250th Anniversary Half Dollar is a United States silver commemorative fifty-cent piece struck in 1982 to mark 250 years since the birth of George Washington in 1732. It is historically important as the coin that revived the U.S. commemorative coin program, which had been dormant since 1954, and as the first regular-issue United States coin struck in 90% silver since 1964.

Designed by Elizabeth Jones, then Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, the obverse depicts Washington mounted on horseback and holding a sword, and the reverse shows his Mount Vernon home, a columned mansion with a central cupola. The coin was sold directly to collectors by the Mint in both uncirculated and proof formats rather than released into circulation.

Struck in the traditional 90% silver alloy at the standard half-dollar size, it is widely collected today as an affordable and readily available modern commemorative and as a landmark issue in U.S. coinage.

By the early 1980s the United States had not issued a commemorative coin since the 1954 close of the classic commemorative series. Congress authorized the Washington half dollar to honor the 250th anniversary of the first president's birth, and its success reopened the modern commemorative program that has continued ever since.

The design was executed by Elizabeth Jones, the Mint's Chief Engraver, whose equestrian portrait of Washington broke from the familiar bust profile used on the circulating quarter. Uncirculated coins were struck at the Denver Mint and carry a "D" mint mark, while proof coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and carry an "S" mint mark. Both were offered to the public through the Mint at a premium, with a portion of proceeds directed as authorized by the enabling legislation.

The issue also marked the return of 90% silver to U.S. coinage after silver had been removed from circulating coins in the mid-1960s. Public demand was strong, and the coins were produced in large quantities — in the millions across the two formats combined — so genuine examples remain common in the collector market.

Identify the type by its distinctive imagery and lettering. The obverse shows George Washington mounted on a horse and holding a sword, a full equestrian scene rather than the head-and-shoulders profile seen on the circulating quarter, accompanied by wording naming Washington and the anniversary. The single date "1982" appears on the coin.

The reverse depicts Washington's Mount Vernon estate: a long columned mansion crowned by a central dome-like cupola, with denomination and national inscriptions. This building — not an eagle or allegorical figure — is the reverse's defining feature and the classical architecture visible in photos.

The coin is a standard-size half dollar: about 30.6 mm in diameter, roughly 12.5 grams, struck in 90% silver with a reeded edge. Uncirculated pieces bear a "D" mint mark and proof pieces bear an "S" mint mark; there is no Philadelphia issue. Only the 1982 date exists for this type.

As a modern silver commemorative produced in large numbers, the George Washington half dollar is an affordable and accessible coin. Its value is driven largely by its silver content plus a modest collector premium, rather than by rarity.

Both the uncirculated (D) and proof (S) versions typically trade for a small premium over their melt value, often in the range of roughly its bullion worth up to a modest markup, with original Mint packaging and certificates adding some appeal. High-grade certified examples and pristine proofs can bring somewhat more, but the type as a whole is common and inexpensive relative to classic commemoratives.

Because the price tracks the silver market and the coin's condition and packaging, any specific example should be checked against current silver prices and recent sales rather than a single fixed figure.