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Entry Details
Coin Date: 1953-PDS Denomination (Short): Set Denomination (Long): Half dollar Variety: Washington-Carver Desg: MS Mint Mark: Various Composition: 90% silver; 10% copper Mintage: 8,003 Strike Type: Business Coinage Type: Classic Commemorative Coinage Years: 1951-1954 Mint Location: Various Diameter: 30.6 Fineness: 0.9 Weight (Grams): 12.5 Weight (Ounces): 0.36169 Designer: Isaac Scott Hathaway Edge: Reeded Obverse Description: Features overlapping portraits of George W. Carver and Booker T. Washington with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the outer periphery. The inner periphery bears the names of those honored along with the words HALF DOLLAR. The date is presented to the left of the portraits at 9 o'clock. Reverse Description: Depicts a map of the United States with the letters U.S.A. overprinted. The periphery bears the words FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL * AMERICANISM. General Notes:
The 1953 Washington-Carver commemorative half dollars honor the memories of two prominent African American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Booker T. Washington -- pioneering author and presidential advisor and Carver -- renowned scientist and inventor. Both are pictured in -- jugate portrait by Isaac Scott Hathaway, the first African American to design -- U.S. coin with his Booker T. Washington type debuting in 1946.
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While Washington-Carver halves are quite common in uncirculated condition, they are remarkably difficult in grades of MS66 or higher. This is due largely to the flat, broad reverse depicting -- map of the United States. Many examples are quite nice, with fantastic luster and excellent overall eye appeal.
