I'm sure you know the first USA NCLT (non circulating legal tender) silver coins were the World's Columbian Exposition Half Dollars struck in 1892. I'm, also, sure you know the coin's purpose: The 400th year Anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America in 1492. Hopes ran high for a high souvenir sales total to those visiting the upcoming World's Fair Exposition to be held in Chicago during 1893. 950,000 were minted in 1892 plus 100 proofs. Another 1,550,000 halves were struck in 1893 plus another 100 proofs. Souvenir prices for the Columbian Exposition Half Dollars was $1. Less than hopeful amounts were sold, so after the fair ended, a considerable number were released into general circulation at face value. Here's two photos courtesy of Coin Link: http://www.coinlink.com/CoinGuide/commemoratives/1892-1893-columbian-exposition-half-dollar/ 100 years later (1992) Congress authorized the minting of three coins to honor the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' Discovery. Photo courtesy of h.i.p. pocket change. Those three coins are pictured here: http://www.usmint.gov/KIDS/coinNews/columbusDay.cfm The Bahamas started their own gold coin Salute to Christopher Columbus' Discovery of America Series beginning in 1985 with a Proof $2500 coin. They followed that issue up with Gold $250 Proofs dated 1987, 1988 and 1989. Here's a photo of the 1985 $2500 Proof courtesy of Panda America: http://www.pandaamerica.com/details.asp?item=5993&grp=1&categ=22 Haiti honored Christopher Columbus by issuing a 25 Gourdes coin in both 1973 and 1974. Here's a photo of the 1973 courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...2 25 Gourdes (1973-1974) Christopher Columbus San Marino issued a 2-Euro coin in 2006 featuring Columbus. Here's a photo courtesy of The Euro Coins Store (click photo for an enlargement): http://www.electacollections.com/Sa...lumbus-2006-in-Blister_p-162387.aspx?LangId=2 Before I end this post there is another country involved with Columbus' Discovery: Spain, whose King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella outfitted Columbus, provided him with ships and provisions. Spain, too, issued a coin, but not 'til 2006. A 12 Euro coin. Here's a photo courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...rlos Herrera del Castillo&query=Spain km 1113 Thought you shouild know... Clinker
I like the columbian half. I also like the 92 commemorative but the others I am not too fond of their design.
Guess it will be difficult to list each and every coin here that has ever been issued and depicts Columbus. But Spain for example did issue Columbus coins before 2006 - not in euro though. In and around 1992, the Spanish mint made various "Quinto Centenario" collector coins to commemorate Columbus. Among these pieces, some depict Columbus, for example a 2000 pesetas silver coin in 1989: http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n241/vivescortada/varios/zcolon-1.jpg http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n241/vivescortada/varios/zcolonrev-1.jpg In the 1991 Ibero-American series, the coins from Cuba and Venezuela feature Columbus, while some other countries show the ships, a map etc. And in 2006 Spain even issued six coins showing Columbus: the €12 piece you mentioned (which was available at face), plus three €10 coins, one €50 beast, and one €400 gold piece. "Beast"? Yep, the diameter is 73 mm ... By the way, as part of its Discoveries series, Portugal had two 200 escudos coins showing Columbus, one in 1991, one in '92. This is the earlier one: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/img6/145-658.jpg And since Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy also issued a couple of coins around 1992: a 200 lire piece in 1989, and four 500 lire coins between 1989 and 1992. Here is another image of the San Marino coin you mentioned: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/images/image8492.gif Christian
