Obverse

Reverse

Half Dollar ($0.50)

Columbian Exposition Half Dollar

United States · 1892-1893

Commemorative silver half dollar featuring a bust of Christopher Columbus on the obverse and his flagship, the Santa Maria, above two hemispheres on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1892-1893
Denomination: Half Dollar ($0.50)
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

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Identified September 8, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

Commemorative silver half dollar featuring a bust of Christopher Columbus on the obverse and his flagship, the Santa Maria, above two hemispheres on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued for the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. It holds the distinction of being the first United States commemorative coin.

Obverse (front)

Bust of Christopher Columbus facing right, surrounded by the legend 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' above and 'COLUMBIAN HALF DOLLAR' below.

Reverse (back)

The flagship Santa Maria sailing left above two hemispheres representing the Old and New Worlds, flanked by the dates 1492 and 1893, with the legend 'COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO'.

Estimated value

$20-$50 in circulated condition, $100-$500+ in Mint State depending on grade

What drives this coin's value

Overall condition/grade, presence of original mint luster, absence of cleaning or scratches, and eye appeal.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine / About Uncirculated (minor wear on high points like Columbus's hair and the rigging of the ship)

Mintage & rarity

Over 2.5 million minted across both years combined; relatively common and widely available for collectors.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check weight and dimensions precisely, look for casting bubbles if suspected counterfeit, and compare lettering and design details against known genuine examples.

Notable varieties & errors

Minor die varieties exist, but major major errors are extremely rare for this issue.

Similar coins

Other 19th-century US commemorative half dollars such as the 1936 commemorative issues or standard Barber half dollars of the same era.

Care & preservation

Store in inert Mylar or PVC-free flips, avoid touching the surfaces with bare fingers to preserve natural toning and prevent oils from causing corrosion, and never clean the coin.

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