This SGS post is going to be a little different format from my previous posts, and may be a little longer. I am going to try out a new format to add some better content for the non-coin collector and non-stacker.
Here we have the latest addition to my silver commemorative half dollar set. I just picked this one up at auction with some other stuff. Meet the 1918 Illinois Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar.
In this post, and future posts, we are going to go into some historical context of what the coin is about. This includes discussing the minting year and the significance, historical events the year of mintage, as well as review some of the symbolic and cultural elements of the coin.
After that we are going to move into the rarity and value of the coin. We will talk about the coin's mintage and survival rates, possibly talk about notable sales of similar coins, and factors that influence the coin's desirability.
Historical Context
After the United States gained their independence in 1783, immigrants started coming from Kentucky along the Ohio River, and the population increased from the south to the north. Illinois was a part of the Northwest Territory, the oldest territory in the United States. Illinois became the 21st state to enter the Union on December 3, 1818.
Abraham Lincoln lived most of his life in Illinois after moving there from Indiana with his family in 1830. It was in Illinois that he worked several odd jobs and finally got into state politics. He lived in Illinois until his election to the Presidency in 1861. He would never live to return to his beloved state again.
Mintage History
The 1918 Illinois Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar is meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Illinois statehood. This coin was the the first of several commemoratives that were released to commemorate the anniversaries of American states, counties, and towns.
Minted in Philadelphia, this was also the first of commemoratives to sell its authorized mintage. 100,000 of these coins were authorized for mintage and zero were returned to the mint for melting. They were minted in 1918, are 90% silver, weigh 12.5 grams, and has a diameter of 30.61mm. Basically, it is the size of the typical U.S. half dollar. George T. Morgan was the engraver for the obverse. Yes, that George Morgan. J.R. Sinnock engraved the reverse. Sinnock went on to design the Roosevelt dime and Franklin half dollar.
Historical Events of 1918
This year is most known for the end of World War I and the Spanish flu being first observed. However, some other significant events include the beginning of the Finnish Civil War and the occupation of Palestine by the British.
Cultural and Symbolic Elements
OBVERSE
The obverse portrait is the head of Abraham Lincoln which is a replica from the statue by Andrew O'Connor in Springfield, Illinois. O'Connor studied under Daniel French who designed the iconic seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The obverse design is rather simple beyond that.
REVERSE
The reverse is based on the state seal of Illinois. The portrait is of an eagle perched on a rock with a ribbon in its beak and one talon holding a shield with what looks like an olive branch or something beneath. The phrase "State Sovereignty National Union" is written on the ribbon. A sun is rising in the background.
Rarity and Value
The mintage for the 1918 Illinois Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar was huge and today it is one of the most common commemoratives you can find. Looking this up in the Red Book, the prices range from $130 at AU-50 to $700 in MS-66.
Mintage and Survival Rates
As I stated earlier, 100,000 of these coins were authorized for mintage and zero were returned to the mint for melting. Actually, an additional 58 were minted for assay purposes. So, the actual minted total was 100,058. Many still survive today and can be easily found in MS conditions.
Notable Sales of Similar Coins
Do a quick look for certified MS-66 samples of this coin on eBay, I found them running anywhere from $595 to $700. I even found a certified MS-67 for over $2k.
I picked mine up for just over $100. I haven't attempted to grade it yet, but first glance I am saying AU-50 minimum.
If you have any further information about this coin you would like to add, like historical information I left out or want to correct any I may have gotten wrong, please drop it in the comments.
Thanks,
Joe
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