Battle of Antietam half dollar facts for kids
| United States | |
| Value | 50 cents (0.50 US dollars) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.61 mm |
| Thickness | 2.15 mm (0.08 in) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Composition |
|
| Silver | 0.36169 troy oz |
| Years of minting | 1937 |
| Mintage | 50,000 (32,000 melted) |
| Mint marks | None, all pieces struck at Philadelphia Mint without mint mark. |
| Obverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Robert E. Lee and George McClellan |
| Designer | William Marks Simpson |
| Design date | 1937 |
| Reverse | |
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|
| Design | Burnside's Bridge |
| Designer | William Marks Simpson |
| Design date | 1937 |
The Battle of Antietam half dollar is a special coin made in 1937. It was created to remember the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. This was a very important battle during the American Civil War. The front of the coin shows two famous generals, Robert E. Lee and George McClellan. The back of the coin features Burnside's Bridge, a key location from the battle.
Why Was This Coin Made?
This special coin was created because of the battle's history. It wasn't made just to earn money. Many other special coins at the time were made for profit.
The Washington County Historical Society in Maryland wanted a coin. The Antietam Celebration Commission also asked for one. They wanted to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam.
A new law was passed on June 24, 1937. This law allowed the minting of at least 50,000 coins. The law also made sure all coins had the same design. They also had to be made at only one mint. This helped prevent problems seen with earlier special coin programs.
Who Designed the Coin?
A talented artist named William Marks Simpson designed the coin. He was a sculptor. Simpson had designed two other special coins before this one. These were the Norfolk, Virginia, Bicentennial half dollar and the Roanoke Island, North Carolina half dollar.
- The front of the coin shows Generals Robert E. Lee and George McClellan.
- The back of the coin features Burnside's Bridge.
How Was the Coin Released?
The U.S. Mint made 50,000 of these special coins. They were sent to the Washington County Historical Society. The society sold each coin for $1.65.
However, many coin collectors were getting tired of special coins. There had been some issues with other commemorative coins the year before. Even with lots of advertising, the Antietam half dollar did not sell well. Only 18,000 coins were sold. The remaining 32,000 coins were sent back to the Philadelphia Mint. They were melted down. Even though it didn't sell well, the coin program was fair and honest.
Images for kids
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The front (obverse) of the Battle of Antietam half dollar, showing Generals Robert E. Lee and George McClellan.
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The back (reverse) of the Battle of Antietam half dollar, featuring Burnside's Bridge.
