Whitman Expo
1947-S Booker T. Washington Half dollar MS PL Values
Details
Proof-like surfaces. The 1947 Booker T. Washington halves mark the second year of issue for this long-running commemorative type that continued until 1951. The issuance of the Booker T. Washington half dollar came at an important time for the civil rights scene, when the battle to end segregation was building steam just after the end of the World War II. The Booker T. Washington half dollar was designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway, -- noted African American artist and the first black person to design -- U.S. commemorative coin.
BTW half dollars were struck at all three of the-then operating mints in the United States, including those at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. All of the BTW half dollars are common, even in uncirculated grade -- in fact, most are known in the grades of MS62 to MS65. Examples grading MS67 are rare, -- fact perhaps not surprising given how flat the coin's overall design is.
Obverse: The obverse bears the portrait of the honored figure framed by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. To the left of the portrait is the date and words HALF DOLLAR. To the right of the portrait is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Reverse: The reverse bears BTW's memorial building centered at the top. Many words appear on the reverse including: BOOKER T. WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL * LIBERTY, around the periphery. FROM SLAVE CABIN TO HALL OF FAME appears below the memorial. IN GOD WE TRUST * FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA appear directly below flanking the likeness of the slave cabin.
Basic Information
GSID:
213807
Coin Date:
1947-S
Denomination:
50c / Half dollar
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
6,000
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1946-1951
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Mint Mark:
S
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Booker T. Washington
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:
Isaac Scott Hathaway
Obverse Designer:
Isaac Scott Hathaway
Reverse Designer:
Isaac Scott Hathaway
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