This is a 1935-S California-Pacific International Exposition Commemorative Silver Half Dollar, popularly known to collectors as the San Diego Half Dollar. Issued in connection with the spectacular California-Pacific International Exposition held in San Diego’s Balboa Park, this classic U. Commemorative features an elaborate interpretation of the Great Seal of California on the obverse and two of Balboa Park’s recognizable architectural landmarks on the reverse. This example retains strong overall detail and is being offered in EF – Extremely Fine condition. It does exhibit a noticeable blemish along a portion of the rim/edge along with scattered surface marks and scratches, all of which are shown in the photographs and described in greater detail below. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver, the 1935-S had an original production of 250,132 coins. The coin is cataloged as KM#171 / PCGS #9371. The 1935 California-Pacific International Exposition. The California-Pacific International Exposition opened in San Diego’s famous Balboa Park in 1935. Unlike many classic commemorative coins, the San Diego Half Dollar was not issued for the anniversary of a particular battle, famous person or historical event. Instead, it commemorated the exposition itself. The fair promoted San Diego, California and the Pacific region, showcasing commerce, industry, culture and architecture during the difficult economic environment of the Great Depression. The California-Pacific International Exposition continued into 1936, which ultimately led to a second version of this commemorative half dollar. Minerva & the Great Seal of California. The obverse incorporates numerous elements from the Great Seal of the State of California. At the center is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, seated while holding a spear and shield. Nearby is the famous California grizzly bear. On Minerva’s shield appears. California’s famous state motto, meaning I have found it. The surrounding inscriptions include. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The amount of detail incorporated into this relatively small 30.6 mm coin makes the San Diego commemorative one of the more elaborate designs of the classic commemorative era. San Diego’s Balboa Park. The reverse connects the coin directly with the California-Pacific International Exposition. Prominently displayed are two architectural landmarks associated with San Diego’s Balboa Park. The Chapel of St. The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of Balboa Park provided an impressive setting for the exposition and remains closely associated with the history of the site. Surrounding the buildings are the inscriptions. CALIFORNIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION. IN GOD WE TRUST. The S mintmark appears on the reverse and identifies this example as a product of the San Francisco Mint. Designed by Robert Ingersoll Aitken. Both sides were designed by noted American sculptor Robert Ingersoll Aitken. Aitken already had an important connection with American commemorative coinage. His work on the San Diego half dollar therefore connected two major California expositions through the work of the same sculptor. Aitken’s initials can also be found within the design. 250,132 Struck – 180,000 Melted. The production history is one of the most interesting aspects of the 1935-S San Diego Half Dollar. The San Francisco Mint originally produced. This consisted of 250,000 pieces intended for distribution plus 132 assay coins. Sales did not meet expectations. That left a net issue of only. Thus, approximately 72% of the original production was removed from the issue rather than remaining as 1935-S coins. PCGS records the surviving distributed mintage as 70,132. The 1936-D San Diego Half Dollar. The San Diego commemorative has an unusual two-year, two-mint history. The result was the. 1936-D San Diego Half Dollar. Struck at the Denver Mint. Collectors therefore recognize two principal issues. 1935-S – San Francisco. Both use Robert Aitken’s same basic design but carry different dates and mintmarks. Only 30,092 of the 1936-D issue were ultimately distributed, making it substantially lower in mintage than the 1935-S. An Interesting “Hoard Coin”. The survival history of the 1935-S is also unusual. Although only 70,132 remained from the original issue, a substantial number were retained in large groups rather than immediately entering individual collections. PCGS reports that approximately 30,000 pieces were retained by a few individuals associated with the exposition, with major groups of these coins gradually dispersed decades later. This explains why many surviving 1935-S San Diego halves are encountered in Mint State. It also makes circulated examples like this one somewhat different from the typical high-grade survivors seen in today’s market. Denomination: Half Dollar / 50 Cents. Type: California-Pacific International Exposition Commemorative. Popular Name: San Diego Half Dollar. Original Production: 250,132 including assay pieces. Net Issue: 70,132. Composition: 90% Silver / 10% Copper. Actual Silver Weight: Approximately 0.3617 troy oz. Weight: Approximately 12.50 grams. Diameter: Approximately 30.6 mm. Designer: Robert Ingersoll Aitken. Obverse: Minerva and elements of the Great Seal of California. Reverse: California Tower & Chapel of St. Condition: EF – Extremely Fine, with noted edge blemish and surface marks. Condition – Please Read. This 1935-S California-Pacific International Exposition Commemorative Half Dollar is being offered in EF – Extremely Fine condition. The coin retains strong overall design detail throughout Robert Aitken’s intricate artwork. Minerva, the California grizzly, shield and surrounding devices remain clearly defined on the obverse, while the architectural design, lettering, date and other major elements remain well defined on the reverse. There are condition issues that should be noted. There is also a noticeable localized blemish/disturbance along a portion of the rim/edge, particularly visible on the reverse near the PACIFIC portion of the outer inscription. These imperfections have not been hidden or excluded from the listing photographs. Close-up photographs are provided specifically so prospective buyers can examine the affected areas carefully before purchasing. Despite these issues, the coin retains considerable detail and remains an attractive example of this historic 1935-S commemorative. This coin is raw and has not been professionally graded or certified. No specific numerical grade such as XF40 or XF45 is being claimed. Please examine all photographs and close-ups carefully and make your own assessment of the coin’s surfaces, wear, marks, scratches, rim/edge condition, toning and overall appearance before purchasing. The photographs are an important part of this description and show the actual coin being offered. This IS the coin you will receive. The 1935-S California-Pacific International Exposition Half Dollar combines California history, Depression-era exposition history and an unusually intricate classic commemorative design. Its imagery incorporates Minerva, the California grizzly bear, Gold Rush symbolism, the Eureka motto and the distinctive architecture of San Diego’s Balboa Park. Its production history is equally interesting. The 1935-S also represents the first half of the unusual two-coin San Diego commemorative series consisting of the 1935-S San Francisco issue and the 1936-D Denver issue. Cataloged as KM#171 / PCGS #9371, the coin contains approximately 0.3617 troy ounce of silver and was struck in the traditional 90% silver composition used for U. Half dollars of the period. Although this particular example has the clearly disclosed edge blemish and surface marks, it retains strong historical character and good overall design detail. A historic 1935-S San Diego commemorative with honest circulated character and clearly disclosed imperfections-an affordable opportunity to add this classic California commemorative to a collection.