Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 4081010, member: 101855"]The 1892-3 Columbian Half Dollars are the most common early (1892 - 1954) commemorative half dollars in circulated condition. The sales of the coins were disappointing at the fair. After it was over, the fair committee put them out into circulation rather than returning them to the mint where they would have been melted. Therefore quite a few these coins circulated for a few years. It is not all unusual to see them in Choice VF and EF condition. In contrast, the unsold Isabella Quarters, which were offered at the fair were returned to the mint. In round numbers, the Board of Lady Managers, who sold these pieces were able to sell about 10,000 of them. Mrs. Potter Palmer, who headed that group, bought up 10,000 of these quarters, which saved them from the melting pot. Had she not done that, the Isabella Quarter would be a more expensive collector coin today. Here is an Isabella Quarter. [ATTACH=full]1064373[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1064374[/ATTACH] And here is a medal, that was issued during the period, with a likeness of Mrs. Potter Plamer. [ATTACH=full]1064375[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1064377[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]