1935 US Silver Commemorative 50C TEXAS - NGC MS 67

About Texas Independence Silver Half Dollars
The Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar had a rather ambitious maximum authorized mintage of 1,500,000 pieces, well above the modest levels of other recent issues. Eventually, the coin would be struck in five different years across three different Mint facilities.

Most collectors consider the Texas Half Dollar to have one of the most beautiful designs with the series of early commemorative coins. Designed by Texas sculptor Pompeo Coppini, the obverse features an eagle clasping an oak branch with a large star in the background. The inscriptions around the image include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST and the date.

The central figure on the reverse of the coin is the kneeling figure of winged Victory. In her right hand is a spray of laurel, while her left hand rests on a representation of the Alamo. Beneath each of Victory's wings are portraits of the Texas heroes Sam Houston and Stephen Austin. Inscriptions include THE TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CENTENNIAL, LIBERTY, REMEMBER THE ALAMO and 1836-1936.

Initially the Texas Centennial Half Dollars were distributed by the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee at a cost of $1 each. More than 200,000 pieces were struck by the Philadelphia Mint, but after sales reached 61,436 the remaining quantity was sent back for melting. In the following year coins would be produced at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints and sold for $1.50 each or $4.50 for a three coin set. Despite declining sales, the same coins would be struck and offered for the next three years.

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.