Roanoke Island, North Carolina Commemorative Half Dollar

United States of America · 1937

A silver commemorative half dollar honoring the 350th anniversary of the Roanoke Island colony and the birth of Virginia Dare.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1937
Denomination: 50 Cents (Half Dollar)
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

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Identified May 1, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A silver commemorative half dollar honoring the 350th anniversary of the Roanoke Island colony and the birth of Virginia Dare.

Historical significance

Commemorates the 'Lost Colony' of Roanoke and the birth of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage born in the Americas (1587). This was part of the early 20th-century silver commemorative era.

Obverse (front)

A portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh facing left. Inscriptions: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, SIR WALTER RALEIGH, and the date 1937.

Reverse (back)

A figure representing Eleanor Dare holding the infant Virginia Dare. In the background are two sailing ships. Inscriptions: THE COLONIZATION OF ROANOKE ISLAND NORTH CAROLINA, 1587-1987, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Estimated value

$100-$150 in AU condition, $175-$350 in Mint State (MS-63 to MS-66)

What drives this coin's value

Condition/Grade is the primary factor; eye appeal (toning or luster) and the presence of any surface cleaning or scratches significantly impacts value.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated (AU) to Mint State (MS) - The coin shows remarkably sharp details on Raleigh's hair and the drapery of Eleanor Dare's dress, though slight cabinet friction or PVC residue may be present from the plastic flip.

Mintage & rarity

29,030 total strikes (common for a commemorative of this era, but low compared to circulating coins)

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight (12.5g) and diameter. Look for sharp, crisp details in the inscriptions. Be wary of specimens with suspicious surface textures or 'mushy' details that suggest casting.

Notable varieties & errors

No major die varieties are widely recognized for this issue, though strike quality varies between individual dies.

Similar coins

Other Early Silver Commemoratives such as the Norfolk Bicentennial or the Oregon Trail Half Dollar, but the Raleigh portrait is unique to this issue.

Care & preservation

Handle only by the edges. Do not clean or polish as it destroys numismatic value. Store in an acid-free PVC-free holder (flip or capsule) to prevent environmental damage.

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