1926 US Silver Commemorative 50C AMERICAN SESQUICENTENNIAL - NGC MS 65

About Sesquicentennial of American Independence Silver Half Dollars
The 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar is most often noted for its low relief design which gives the coins somewhat of an unattractive appearance. This was one of two commemorative coins issued for the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The obverse of the coin features the busts of George Washington and Calvin C. Coolidge. The latter was the President at the time of issue and represented the first time that a U.S. President appeared on a coin during his lifetime. Inscriptions surrounding read LIBERTY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and IN GOD WE TRUST.
On the reverse of the coin is an image of the Liberty Bell with the anniversary dates "1776" and "1926" to each side. The remaining inscriptions read SESQUICENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE and HALF DOLLAR. This reverse design by John R. Sinnock would later be used for the series of Franklin Half Dollars issued from 1948 to 1963.
The Sesquicentennial Half Dollars were authorized in a quantity of up to one million coins. In anticipation of widespread demand the entire amount was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The coins were offered for sale at $1 each and ultimately only sold 141,120 pieces. The remaining amount was melted. Ironically, the initial unpopularity of the design which led to low sales now makes this one of the more valuable commemorative coins due to the low resulting mintage.

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.