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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What a nice coin! It's in beautiful condition and grading it you would likely come out pretty nicely. That's a really nice find, and some great history too which I love! Lincoln was a true badass, very few people really know that about him.
Yeah, Lincoln experienced a great deal in his youth. His boyhood home in Indiana is down the Interstate from me about 80 miles.
Why is he looks so depressed though
Not sure, but if I recall, many believe that Lincoln did suffer from depression.
Interesting, I never seen him portrayed like that before
Nice coin for the collection! I saw that you used coinsnap is this the best app to identify coins? I tried one before ( but indont remember which one) and it wasn’t very complete hehe. Thanks
Thank you. Coin Snap app is not always accurate, but has served its purpose for which I use it.
Cool! Old days we used to buy guides, with the internet i have trying to do searches and compilations lol, but we always miss some stuff
I still use some guide books and other references. The app is just for a quick reference type thing. It also helps me more readily identify coins I don't know from around the rest of the world.
It is a nice coin!
The half dollar commemorative is hard to collect because it is so expensive.
Do you have the 1926 Oregon Trail, @coinjoe ?
Thank you. Some of the older ones can get expensive, especially in higher grades. I do not have the 1926 Oregon Trai1l yet, but plan to eventually. I am hunting for the right deal on the 1921 Alabama. Trying to work through them in order. Do you have the Oregon Trail?
Thanks mate for sharing your passion. You certainly appear to know your stuff on the topic. Now your name is making more sense lmao. Looks like a dope coin to have in a special collection.
I don't know near as much as some people fiat coin collecting on Hive. It is something I really enjoy along with history. Yes it is for a special collection of sorts. I am putting together a type set of older commemorative U.S coins within my overall collection of coins.
That sounds very cool - hope to see photos of it once done. Stay safe mate.
That's a very nice coin and it looks like it's
in excelent condition for it's age.
Thanks. I feel it is in About Uncirculated of MS-60. Just not sure. Gotta sit down and review it to some standards.
Thanks for the great post!
You're welcome. Appreciate the compliment.
I believe that coin serve as a historical artifact and considering its rarity and price, it's a good coin collection. Do you have plans to sell it in the future? It will continue to increase and more historians and collector will find for it.
Honestly, it is not all that rare for a commemorative. No, I have no plans to sell it at this time. All coins in my collection will be passed on to my sons.
Wow, I see. That coins will have a significant value to your grandchildren in the future.
To my children for sure, but there are no grandchildren yet.
Oh, maybe in the future.
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Thank you for contributing more great content to the #SilverGoldStackers tag.
You have created a Precious Gem!
Thank you.