1923 S US Silver Commemorative 50C MONROE - NGC MS 66

1923 S US Silver Commemorative 50C MONROE

Certified NGC MS 66

Photos are of the actual coin you will receive.

About Monroe Doctrine Centennial Silver Half Dollars
The 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial Half Dollar was promoted by the California film industry in connection with the First Annual Historical Revue and Motion Picture Film Industry Exposition. The topic of the coin was the 100th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that efforts of European countries to interfere or establish new colonies in the west would be viewed as acts of aggression. The Doctrine had a long standing impact on U.S. foreign policy.

The obverse design of the Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar features portraits of James Monroe and John Quincy Adams who were both instrumental in formulating the Doctrine. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1923, MONROE, ADAMS and HALF DOLLAR.

Depicted on the reverse are two female forms in shapes resembling North and South America. This image is said to have copied from a medal created by Ralph Beck in 1899 of the same theme. The artist and medalist Chester Beach is generally credited with the designs for the obverse and reverse of the coin. Reverse inscriptions read MONROE DOCTRINE CENTENNIAL, 1823, 1923 and LOS ANGELES. The later inscription was the only reference to the exposition for which the coins were to be issued.

The Monroe Doctrine Centennial Half Dollars were distributed by the Los Angeles Clearing House and initially sold for $1 each. A vast number of the mintage was eventually released into circulation at face value. Nearly all examples of this issue will be encountered with shallow strikes and characteristically unattractive surfaces. Higher grade mint state examples with an attractive appearance are extremely elusive.

About Early Commemorative Coins

Early Commemorative Coins were issued between the years 1892 and 1954 and have included primarily silver half dollars and gold dollars. Over the years additional denominations have been used including the silver quarter, silver dollar, several gold quarter eagles and one $50 gold piece. In total there were 50 different Silver Commemorative coin designs and 9 different Gold Commemorative coin designs. Each issue was typically authorized by an act of Congress which provided a specific maximum or minimum mintage requirement. Because legislation often did not specify otherwise, some Commemorative coin issues were produced in multiple years or struck at multiple mints.