Columbian or AMERICAN (or both?)

Hi All,
Hope I'm in the right forum for this one. Is this coin from Columbia or just a promotion for an
exposition in Chicago? Can it be graded? Possible value? Any info from the pros would help.
Thanks Patt01

 

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It's a US commemorative half dollar. It commemorates the Colombian (Christopher Columbus) expo.

 

This coin was minted by the United States commemorating the Columbian Exposition which was a World's Fair in 1892 with the title theme celebrating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Colombus discovering the Americas. Yours, from what I can tell looks about uncirculated, it could be worth $25-30. It is a relatively common coin, but carries a lot of fancy with collectors.

 

Thanks Lost Duchman,
I like keeping it in the good ole USA

 

Thanks zack24 at least it's worth a bit more than face. Was it actualy struck
in 1893?

 

Yep! There is an 1892 issue that is exactly the same and there is the 1893 issue, both struck in their respective years.

 

It's also the first commemorative coin ever to be struck by the United States.

 

there are also stamps to match it, which are also the first commemorative stamps issued by the usa. 1892...the birth of usa commemoratives!

 

Man, you all are like a living and breathing encyclopedia Thanks for the info

 

Generally you are correct in that it was the first Legislated commemorative coin for the US, but in 1848 the CAL. quarter eagle was minted to celebrate the finding of gold in California, and many see it as the first US commemorative coin

 

this is why we love cointalk!!!!!

 

Didn't something bad happen in Chicago at that time?

 

"Details Grade" Jim..........

 

[video=youtube;p-L0NpaErkk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-L0NpaErkk[/video]

 

Excellent green18----------Dosent everything bad happen in Chicago?

 

Yeah, we are Zany around here......

 

I love these coins for some reason. Just think someone who could have bought that in 1893 could have ate the first cracker jacks in the world. Since they were first made at the Chicago world's fair.

 

the cubs.... enough said.....

 

Dang Swish. I love the Cubs more than the Mets........

 

everyone loves the cubs more than the mets... you yankees fan..........