The First 90% Silver Coins Struck Since 1964
What became known as the “Classic Commemorative” series of United States commemorative coins, which began in 1892 and now ended in 1954. The series contained exactly 50 issues, 144 coins in all and was gaining in popularity among collectors. The abuses of the 1930s had stopped – where commemorative coins were issued for events not truly worthy of commemoration by the United States government (the Cincinnati Music Center, for example) – but the 250th anniversary of the birth of George Washington was approaching in February of 1982. If it became law, this new coin would mark the beginning of the Modern Commemorative Coin era in United States Numismatics.
Public Law 97-104 would be the authorization for up to 10,000,000 of these coins. There would be two different issues – an Uncirculated commemorative coin and a Proof version of the same coin. The Uncirculated coin would be struck at the Denver Mint, bearing a “D” mintmark, which would strike 2,210,458 BU coins. The San Francisco Mint would strike the Proof version and the coin would bear an “S” mintmark and 4,894,044 Proof coins were struck.
The design by Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, Elizabeth Jones, was fitting if not inspired. The obverse depicted a portrait of a hatless George Washington, in military uniform, on horseback. On the upper periphery was “GEORGE WASHINGTON” and on the lower periphery was “250TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH 1982” and to General Washington’s right was the word “LIBERTY”. The mintmark is at 3 o’clock.
The reverse of the coin depicts a view of George Washington’s Virginia home – Mount Vernon. In the grass in from of the mansion is a small heraldic eagle. The upper periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and beneath that “IN GOD WE TRUST”. The denomination “HALF DOLLAR” is on the lower periphery.
These were the first 90% silver coins to be struck by the United States Mint since the last issue of Silver Dimes, Quarters and Half Dollars in 1964. The Uncirculated coins were sealed in plastic and were contained in a small blue box for distribution.
(A 1982 George Washington Uncirculated Half Dollar Commemorative in the original box of distribution.)
The coins were also struck in Proof condition and packaged differently than the Uncirculated coins. The Proof coins were placed in a capsule in a velvet-lined burgundy box, complete with a certificate of Authenticity.
Unlike prior commemoratives, in order to spur sales and start people collecting these coins again, the coins were sold at a “pre-issue” discount until the regular price took effect. The Uncirculated coin was slightly more expensive than the proof, which was very unusual.
| 1982-D Uncirculated | 1982-S Proof |
| Pre-Issue Price: $10.50 | Pre-Issue Price $8.50 |
| Regular Price: $12.50 | Regular Issue Price: $10.00 |
Both the Uncirculated version and the Proof version are readily available for purchase by collectors even today – 40 years later.
| Date | Type | Mintage | Retail Value |
| 1982-D | Uncirculated | 2,210,458 | $25.00 |
| 1982-S | Proof | 4,894,044 | $25.00 |
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