Ancient Coins Guaranteed Authentic. The Illinois Centennial half dollar is a commemorative 50-cent piece struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1918. The obverse, depicting Abraham Lincoln, was designed by Chief Engraver George T. Morgan; the reverse, based on the Seal of Illinois, was by his assistant and successor, John R. Morgan’s obverse is based on the statue by Andrew O’Connor. A commemorative was wanted by the State of Illinois to mark the centennial of its 1818 admission to the Union, and in 1918, legislation was introduced into Congress to accomplish this. It met no opposition, though several amendments were made during the legislative process. After it passed, the two engravers produced designs, but Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo required changes, not all of which were made. Later writers have generally admired the coin, considering it one of the more handsome American commemoratives. The coin is valued in the hundreds of dollars today, though exceptional specimens may trade for more. The item “1918 50¢ Lincoln-Illinois Centennial Commemorative Silver Half Dollar” is in sale since Sunday, August 8, 2021. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ US\Commemorative\Silver (1892-1954)”. The seller is “redoubt_numismatics” and is located in San Antonio, Texas. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Composition: Silver
- Certification Number: 90064263
- Strike Type: Business
- Grade: MS 63
- KM Number: KM 175
- Certification: PCGS
- Modified Item: No
- Weight: 12.5 grams
- Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
- Denomination: 50¢
- Type: Commemorative
- Year: 1918
- Mint Location: Philadelphia
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Diameter: 30.6 mm