Classic Coins - Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurring in April 1775 between the British troops and the colonial patriots.

Characteristics - size, weight, metal content, value range
Obverse - picture, description, artist
Reverse - picture, description, artist
Commentary - coin notes, mintage information, historical comments, fun facts

On January 14, 1925, the 68th Congress approved a Public Resolution (68-43). In summary, it stated, "Joint Resolution Establishing a commission for the participation of the United States in the observance of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, authorizing an appropriation to be utilized in connection with such observance, and for other purposes."

Section 5 of the resolution included, "That in commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord there shall be coined at the mints of the United States silver 50-cent pieces to the number of three hundred thousand, such 50-cent pieces to be of the standard troy weight, composition, diameter, device, and design as shall be fixed by the Director of the Mint, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, which said 50-cent pieces shall be legal tender in any payment to the amount of their face value."

The resolution concluded the authorization with the Proviso: "That the United States shall not be subject to the expense of making the necessary dies and other preparations for this coinage."

Characteristics - Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

Metal Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Diameter - millimeters: 30.6
Diameter - inches: 1.2
Weight - grams: 12.5
Weight - troy ounce: 0.401884332
Silver content weight - troy ounce: 0.3617
Mint Locations: Philadelphia
Years Minted: 1925

The coin's silver content alone makes it more valuable than its face value of $0.50.

But, the coin's age, its condition and its desirability make it even more valuable as a collectible.

The coin's estimated value ranges from $62 (low grade - XF) to $820 (high grade - MS-66).

Extraordinary characteristics on the Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar can command a price outside the estimated value range. 

Obverse - Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The obverse or front of the coin shows a Concord Minute Man holding his rifle in his right hand with his left hand holding a plow handle.

The coinage inscriptions include United States of America, Patriot Half Dollar, Concord Minuteman, and In God We Trust.

Artist: Chester Beach

Reverse - Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The reverse or back of the coin shows the old belfry at Lexington.

Lexington men defending their freedom can be seen at the base of the belfry.

The coinage inscriptions say, Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial, Old Belfry, Lexington 1775-1925.

Artist: Chester Beach

Commentary - Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

Though the stated mintage limit was 300,000, records show just over 162,000 of the coins were distributed.

The coin pictured above resides in an NGC holder and is graded as an MS-65. (NGC, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, provides coin grading and certification services.)

Versions of the coin also exist in higher grades such as an MS-66 grade.

The skirmishes between the British and the Patriots broke out in April of 1775 just as the farmers began to till their land.

The Concord Minute Man was modeled after the Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French that can be found in the Minute Man National Park in Concord. (National Park Service web site opens in a new window.)

In Lexington, an unknown Patriot fired the first shot, which became known as "the shot heard around the world."

The Old Belfry's bell announced the beginning of the American Revolution on that April day.

A gale destroyed the Old Belfry in 1909.

Today, an exact replica of the Old Belfry sits atop Belfry Hill and a stone monument with a bronze plaque recognizes the location of the original on the Battle Green.

Visit our GACS Numismatic Shoppe Lexington Concord Sesquicentennial for a variety of useful items decorated with images of the classic commemorative silver half dollar coin.