Columbian Expo Half Dollar

I've taken an interest in commemorative coins, both modern and classic. As this coin is the first official commemorative minted by the US mint, and it's obtainable to me given it's low price point in circulated conditions I've decided to make this my very first purchase of this type. BEFORE I do that, I want to learn much more about it. I know the basics, have read the description in the Red book and some things here on CT. However, can anyone point me to some really good resources for this coin? Anything about grading, varieties, errors, etc. etc. Or perhaps some less well known facts about it.

 

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There's a lot of good info out there if you want to search it out. PCGS has a free online books section you may want to check out. DLRC used to have a number available as well, but the last I checked they were nowhere to be found. Lots of articles out there as well.

Just to be clear, I say this not to be rude but only because I haven't any links handy to share.

 

This is a good commemorative to start with. Check it out on Wikipedia and take up your research from there. There's so much out there, you're just going to make us copy and paste, here, and much of it may not even interest you. Start with Wikipedia, let your interests take you where they take you. You don't need us, you need Google. Again, good choice on your first commemorative.

 

Commemorative coins are great, but there's so, so many of different ones ! LOL I'm just a simple American Silver and Gold coin type-of-guy !

 

So many of the Isabella quarters I see for sale are cleaned.

 

You should be able to get a raw BU example of the Columbian Expo half dollar fairly cheaply as well, especially an 1893. It's important to note that many examples you will see are not fully struck on the obverse slightly towards 6 o'clock from the center, and this weakness by itself is not indicative of wear.

 

The 1893 is easier to get, as there were many more made of the '93's minted (1,550, 405) then of the 1892's (950,000).

The only recognized varieties are the RPD's (repunched dates). There are 3 for the 1892, and one for the 1893. The 1893 is somewhat readily available, but they really command no premium, and I believe many are available. The 1892 RPD's are quite uncommon, and I don't even know what they look like, except the FS-302, and that's only because of this one in the Heritage archives.

You'll find these in all grades from PO-1 to MS68. Most are in circulated condition, and should be bought for around $10-15, but they're cheap enough that MS64's are within reach of the average Joe, and start going up at MS65 and above.

When looking at the, I find the ribs in the sails on the reverse to be the easiest for grading (also the highest points). Columbus's hair on the obverse is not very detailed, so to me, they all look like they have wear, although the obverse high point is his cheekbone.

The Columbian Exposition can be addictive in itself. There are a ga-billion different things available for the collector if they want, from spoons to pocketwatches, entry tickets to booklets. Just a plethora of goodies for the Expo enthusiast. I personally had to restrain from buying a pocketwatch made from a Columbian Half (it was tough not to bid).

I'm sure you have already read about the Remington Columbian.

Oh, and you had me at

 

If memory serves, the Exposition is where Westinghouse and Tesla showed electric light using alternating current. It was the first time many were able experience this new technology.

I have a 1893 Half Dollar from the EP Newman collection. I love it.

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I'll check out PCGS for sure.

My intent wasn't to make people cut and paste information here, only to point me towards some known sources worth checking out. I've googled some, and found some things of interest but thought I'd see if anyone had some specific resources they'd recommend. I'll read the wikipedia as I skipped over that thus far.

Thanks @Beefer518, I have already been drawn into the whole allure of the exposition a little bit. I've seen some of the tickets, medals, and the "so-called dollars". I may end up with an expo collection when all is said and done.

 

Early commems are awesome to collect, and it’s great to see interest. The World’s Fair has some fascinating history in several perspectives. Augustus St. Gaudens and Hermon MacNeil were there building sculptures and architecture. There was a brutal killer in the South Side, as you can read in the Devil in the White City.

 

I wanted to show mine, which was very reasonably priced.

 

Plenty of them out there, so look for one you really like. Even some coins that show a smidge of rub have really nice toning, if you are interested in such things.

 

Yes the current wars between Westinghouse and Tesla vs Edison it led to the great invention of the electric chair. Personally I wish they’d bring that back as well as public hangings

 

Photo?

 

This is what they are supposed to look like
(Pats self on back)

 

That's a beauty, maybe someday. For now I'm just enjoying learning about it and hoping to pick up a nice circulated one soon.

 

There is a great thread on CoinTalk where @lordmarcovan was giving away some Columbia Exposition swag, and people made up stories about what they would do at the Expo. It was a cool time travel thread.

 

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/th...cause-h8_modern-is-so-awesome-contest.296746/
Here it is

 

I think drawing and quartering would also be a fine deterrent today as well.

 

St Gaudens/Morgan did the official presentation medal. You can pick them up with the aluminum case at a fairly reasonable price. About 76mm dia.