Classic Coins - Lynchburg VA Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

In 1936, the striking of the Lynchburg VA Sesquicentennial Half Dollar Classic Commemorative Coin recognized the 150th anniversary of the city of Lynchburg receiving its charter.

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 May 28, 1936, the second session of the 74th Congress approved an act which became Public Law 74-625 that authorized "the coinage of 50-cent pieces in commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the issuance of the charter to the city of Lynchburg, Virginia."

The law began, "That in commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the issuance of the charter to the city of Lynchburg, Virginia, there shall be coined at a mint of the United States to be designated by the Director of the Mint not to exceed twenty thousand silver 50-cent pieces of standard size, weight, and composition and of a special appropriate single design to be fixed by the Director of the Mint, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, but the United States shall not be subject to the expense of making the necessary dies and other preparations for this coinage.

"SEC. 2. The coins herein authorized shall bear the date 1936, irrespective of the year in which they are minted or issued, shall be legal tender in any payment to the amount of their face value, and shall be issued only upon the request of the Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial Association upon payment by it of the par value of such coins, but not less than five thousand such coins shall be issued to it at any one time and no such coins shall be issued after the expiration of one year after the date of enactment of this Act. Such coins may be disposed of at par or at a premium by such association, and the net proceeds shall be used by it in defraying the expenses incidental and appropriate to the commemoration of such event."

The law continues in Section 3 stating that all laws already in place applying to coinage shall also apply to these coins.

Characteristics - Lynchburg VA 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: 1936

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 $180 (low grade - XF) to $380 (high grade - MS-66).

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

Obverse - Lynchburg VA Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The obverse or front of the coin shows a left-facing portrait of Senator Carter Glass representing his contributions to Virginia and the nation.

The coinage inscriptions say, United States of America, Liberty, In God We Trust, and Carter Glass.

Artist: Charles Keck

Reverse - Lynchburg VA Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The reverse or back of the coin features the standing figure of Liberty with arms widespread with steps leading to the Lynchburg court house behind her.

The coinage inscriptions read Lynchburg Virginia Sesqui-centennial, E Pluribus Unum, 1786-1936, and Half Dollar.

Artist: Charles Keck

Commentary - Lynchburg VA Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The stated mintage was "not to exceed twenty thousand silver 50-cent pieces" and "coined at a mint."

Records show the Philadelphia Mint produced 20,013 of the Lynchburg VA Sesquicentennial half dollar coins - just a handful, 13, above the specified maximum number.

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 across a variety of the grades.

Carter Glass served in both state and federal political offices from 1899 until his death in office in 1946.

He applied effort and influence to the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, and as a result, was known as the Father of the Federal Reserve.

Glass also established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

President Roosevelt recognized him as the "Unreconstructed Rebel" when Senator Glass strongly opposed several of Roosevelt's views.

In June 1924, the front cover of Time magazine honored Carter Glass.

The architectural firm of Andrew Ellison, Jr. and his younger brother, William, designed the old courthouse in the Greek Revival style.

The Old Lynchburg Courthouse was built in 1855.

Court related activity occurred in the court house until about 1970.

In May 1972, the Old Lynchburg courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Throughout the 1970s, the Old Courthouse was restored as part of the city's bicentennial activities for the Nation's birthday in 1976.

The restored courthouse operated as the Lynchburg Museum until 2000 when a second floor ceiling collapsed.

Upon inspection, the engineers found the building to have many structural problems.

After another restoration to the tune of $2 million,  the Old Courthouse reopened as the Lynchburg Museum.

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