How to Identify the Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
A collector's checklist for confirming a genuine 1925 Lexington-Concord half dollar — Minuteman obverse, Old Belfry reverse, size, silver, no mint mark, and look-alikes.
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Start with the two designs, which together are diagnostic. The obverse must show the standing Concord Minuteman holding a rifle, the farmer-soldier figure drawn from Daniel Chester French's statue. The reverse must show the Old Belfry, a square wooden bell tower, accompanied by lettering tied to Lexington and the sesquicentennial. If both scenes are present, you are looking at this one-year 1925 type.
Confirm the dates. This coin carries the paired anniversary dates 1775–1925 rather than a single circulation date. That pairing is the quickest way to separate it from ordinary half dollars of the period, such as the Liberty Walking or Barber types, which show only one date and different imagery (Liberty or an eagle).
Check the physical specifications. It is a 90% silver half dollar about 30.6 mm in diameter, weighing roughly 12.5 grams, with a reeded edge. A calibrated scale and calipers are the most reliable check; a piece that is markedly light, oversized, or has a plain edge should be treated with suspicion. The metal is coin silver, so the color is a bright white-gray, often with pastel toning on saved examples.
Do not look for a mint mark. The whole issue was struck at Philadelphia, so there is no D or S; its absence is correct and not a warning sign. Beware instead of altered surfaces, added or removed marks, and cast counterfeits: weak, mushy detail on the Minuteman or belfry, seams on the edge, or incorrect weight are red flags.
For any higher-grade or higher-value purchase, rely on third-party authentication and grading (PCGS or NGC) rather than eye appeal alone. Classic commemoratives are frequently cleaned or lightly polished, which lowers value, so examine the fields for hairlines and unnatural brightness under good light.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell this from a regular 1920s half dollar?
Look at the imagery and dates. This coin shows the Concord Minuteman and the Old Belfry with the paired dates 1775–1925. Circulating Liberty Walking or Barber halves show Liberty or an eagle and a single date.
What should it weigh and measure?
About 12.5 grams and roughly 30.6 mm in diameter, struck in 90% silver with a reeded edge. Figures that differ noticeably from these, or a plain edge, are warning signs of a fake.
Is a missing mint mark a problem?
No. Every genuine example was struck at Philadelphia in 1925 and carries no mint mark, so its absence is expected and not a cause for concern.
How can I be sure a valuable example is genuine?
Verify weight, diameter, and edge, and look for crisp detail on the Minuteman and belfry. For expensive coins, use PCGS or NGC certification, which also flags cleaning and repairs that reduce value.