Whitman Expo
1951-S Booker T. Washington Half dollar MS PL Values
Details
Proof-like surfaces. The 1951 Booker T. Washington half dollars mark the sixth and final year of issue for this commemorative type honoring the social activist, author, and presidential advisor. The coin was designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway, who upon preparing the earliest BTW halves in 1946, became the first African American to design -- U.S. coin.
Booker T. Washington half dollars are very common in uncirculated grades, with the vast majority of examples grading between MS62 to MS66. The coins were minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints, and examples of each from these three mints are readily available. The relative scarcity of examples in the grades of MS67 or better is explained by the overall flatness of the coin's design, which picks up many obvious marks.
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:
377474
Coin Date:
1951-S
Denomination:
50c / Half dollar
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
7,004
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
