Whitman Expo
1934-D Oregon Trail Half dollar MS Values
Details
The 1934-D Oregon Trail half dollar hails from the Denver Mint, which produced just more than 7,000 examples of this popular commemorative type that year. The Oregon Trail half dollar, honoring the historic 2,000-mile path cutting through the western United States along which many pioneers died, was designed by the husband-and-wife design team of James Earle Fraser and Laura Gardin Fraser. The obverse showcases a Native American standing before a geographical map of the United States and a line of miniature Conestoga wagons crossing the path of the trail. The reverse shows a cattle-driven wagon rolling over a sun-splashed hill.
The 1934-D Oregon Trail halves were sold for $2 apiece, and most were saved in uncirculated grades. However, relatively few managed to remain in the top Mint State grades. Gems are not terribly uncommon, but the 1934-D is among the scarcest of all Oregon Trail half dollars in the grades of MS66 or higher -- many show marks and other detractions across the faces of the coins, keeping the vast majority of specimens in grades below MS65.
Obverse: The obverse shows a Native American standing before a geographical map of the continental United States, with an indication of the actual Oregon Trail across the applicable portion of map.
Reverse: The reverse shows a cattle-drive stagecoach rolling over a hill with a large sunset shining in the background.
Basic Information
GSID:
10342
Coin Date:
1934-D
Denomination:
50c / Half dollar
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Denver
Mintage:
7,006
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Mint Mark:
D
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Oregon Trail
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
12.5 gr
Weight:
0.475 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.3617 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
James Earle Fraser, Laura Gardin Fraser
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Designer:
Laura Gardin Fraser
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