Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1/2 Dollar 1982, KM# 208, United States of America (USA), 250th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington
  • 1/2 Dollar 1982, KM# 208, United States of America (USA), 250th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington
Description

The George Washington 250th Anniversary half dollar was the first modern United States commemorative coin. Production of traditional commemorative coins had previously ended in 1954 with the Carver-Washington half dollar.

Unlike most subsequent modern commemoratives, the George Washington Half Dollars were produced in anticipation of sales throughout 1982 and 1983, although all coins were dated 1982. When the US Mint finally stopped accepting orders for the coins on December 31, 1985, a quantity of more than one million unsold coins were melted. Nonetheless, the program achieved a profit of more than $36 million, which was deposited into the Treasury General Fund.

Design: Elizabeth Jones

Obverse

Depicts George Washington riding a horse.

George Washington (1732–1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the "father of his country".

GEORGE WASHINGTON
LIBERTY
EJ D
250TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH·1982

Reverse

Depicts Eastern facade of Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, with a heraldic eagle appearing below.

Mount Vernon is an American landmark and former plantation of George Washington, the first president of the United States, and his wife, Martha. The estate is on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is located south of Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia and is across the river from Prince George's County, Maryland.

The Washington family acquired land in the area in 1674. Around 1734, the family embarked on an expansion of its estate that continued under George Washington, who began leasing the estate in 1754 before becoming its sole owner in 1761.

In 1858, the house's historical importance was recognized and it was saved from ruin by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association; this philanthropic organization acquired it together with part of the Washington property estate. Escaping the damage suffered by many plantation houses during the American Civil War, Mount Vernon was restored.

Mount Vernon was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is still owned and maintained in trust by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and is open every day of the year.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN GOD WE TRUST
EJ
E PLURIBUS UNUM
HALF DOLLAR

Edge

1/2 Dollar

250th Anniversary of Birth of George Washington

KM# 208
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 12.5 g
Diameter 30.61 mm
Thickness 2.15 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mints
Denver Mint (D)
San Francisco Mint (S)

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