Illinois Centennial (Lincoln) – 1918

Celebrating 100 Years of Illinois and the Land of Lincoln

Since the United States Mint had been striking commemorative coins for worthy celebrations, the state of Illinois felt that its Centennial of Admission to the Union was a celebration worth commemorating.  The legislation was introduced into Congress in January of 1918 to accomplish this. It passed with no opposition and the US Mint went to work.

Chief Engraver George T Morgan created the obverse based on the bust on a statue of Lincoln and the reverse was modeled after the state seal of the State of Illinois. The reverse was completed by Morgan’s assistant and successor John R. Sinnock.

Morgan created a bust of Lincoln facing right, with “CENTENNIAL OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS” around and above Lincoln. As required by law, “IN GOD WE TRUST” was positioned behind Lincoln’s head, the word “LIBERTY” in front of Lincoln and the date below his bust. The border was beaded instead of the usual denticles.

The reverse was a rendition of the Illinois State Seal with an eagle with wings upraised with a shield in its right talon and on land with the left. The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” surmounts the eagle, a banner is in his beak on which is written “STATE SOVEREIGNITY – NATIONAL UNION” with the legend “E PLURIBUS UNUM” behind the eagle and the denomination “HALF DOLLAR” at the bottom of the coin.

The bill had authorized 100,000 and all of them were struck, in Philadelphia in August of 1918, just as World War I was coming to a close. The coins were being sold at $1 each to the public, the extra $.50 defraying the cost of the local centennial celebrations and the large statewide celebration in Springfield. 

This coin is considered one of the more beautiful of the early Classic Commemorative coins and some of the finest work that Morgan had done after the creation of the Silver Dollar that bears his name. The coins were sold at celebrations all across the state, Some 50 to 100 coins were encased in copper shields and given to dignitaries and members of the Illinois Centennial Commission during the celebrations.

Once the celebrations had ended the coins were sold by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce at $1 each, which is why a number of the 100,058 are found well circulated.

Expand your collection today and shop for a 1918 Lincoln Illinois Centennial Half Dollar.