United States | |
| Value | 50 cents (0.50US dollars) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.61 mm (1.20 in) |
| Thickness | 2.15 mm (0.08 in) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Composition |
|
| Silver | 0.36169 troy oz |
| Years of minting | 1946 |
| Mintage | 100,057 (100,000 coins were authorized) |
| Mint marks | None, all pieces struck at thePhiladelphia Mint without mint mark |
| Obverse | |
 | |
| Design | Iowa state seal |
| Designer | Adam Pietz |
| Design date | 1946 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | Old Stone Capitol |
| Designer | Adam Pietz |
| Design date | 1946 |
TheIowa Centennial half dollar was designed by Adam Pietz and minted in 1946. The reverse depicts theIowa Old Capitol Building (also known as the "Old Stone Capitol") inIowa City, and the obverse shows thestate seal.[1]
Since 1936, no new commemorative coins had been approved, as the many abuses and scandals involved with past commemorative coin issues had caused both Congress and then-presidentFranklin D. Roosevelt to oppose any bills for new commemoratives, especially after a Congressional hearing held on April 15, 1937.[2] However, withHarry S. Truman in office, the state of Iowa was able to get the bill for the Iowa Centennial half dollar passed on August 7, 1946. The bill authorized a minimum of 100,000 coins to be minted. Former mint engraver Adam Pietz was selected by Mint directorNellie Tayloe Ross to design and sculpt the coin.[1]
The coins were sold by the Iowa Centennial Committee $2.50 for Iowans, and $3 for those outside of the state. The discounted price for Iowans came as a result of the committee wanting all Iowans to buy a coin if they wanted one.[1] A majority of the coins minted were sold, with 500 pieces was set side for distribution in 1996, and 500 more for 2046.[3][4] In 1996, the coins that were set aside for release that year were offered for $500 each in special holders.[2]
Media related toIowa Centennial half dollar at Wikimedia Commons
