Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/26/2008

Question
I have a 1946 Booker T Washington Half Dollar. Can you give me some info about it. Thanks Jason

Answer
Hello Jason,                  

This is a USA Commemorative Half Dollar. It was issued to perpetuate the ideals and teachings of Booker T. Washington and the proceeds were to raise money for memorials to his memory.
It did get distributed all over the country (this is a great feat in itself) thanks to the large quantity made. It is 90% silver and 10% copper alloy as all USA silver coins were before 1965.

The reverse shows the legend "From Slave Cabin to Hall of Fame" and depicts his log cabin birthplace under the motto. It was designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway.
The Carver-Washington Half Dollars 1951 to 1954 were also designed and issued by the same law as this commemorative.

They were made at all three mints each year from 1946 to 1951 and many were sold as a set containing a coin from each mint for each year. The D for Denver or S for San Francisco will be below the cabin on the reverse of the coin.

The Philadelphia minted coin has no mint mark there were over 1,000,000 made but an unknown quantity was melted back down.

As you can see this coin was over produced and the value reflects this mint state Un-Circulated coins can sell for as little as $20 and circulated coins for about $10.

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Good Luck

PapaJack