The 400th Anniversary of the Western Arrival of Columbus
Sailing for the Spanish Crown, Christopher Columbus sailed west from Spain in August of 1492 in three ships – the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. As he knew that the Earth was round, he reasoned that by sailing West he would encounter the spice-laden lands of India and China.
Columbus’ thinking was correct about the Earth, but after two months, unbeknownst to him, he had hardly sailed far enough to the West. He landed in the Caribbean in San Salvador, twice, and on his third voyage west, he made contact with the actual North American continent. He had “discovered” a world unknown to Europeans at that time.
Like many North American and European countries, as 1892 approached, and with it the 400th Anniversary of the Landing of Columbus, the United States wondered what would be an appropriate way to honor him.
It was agreed that a World’s Fair or worldwide exposition would be held in his honor in Chicago, Illinois. The Fair would run open during 1892 and, run for nearly a year into 1893. Built at a cost of over $28 million, on 690 acres of land, the World’s Fair actually saw more than 27 million visitors and was profitable.
Forty-six countries exhibited at the Fair and the United States had several important buildings. The “United States Government Building” housed the Treasury Department and the United States Mint exhibits. One of the most popular souvenirs of the World’s Fair was the 1892 and 1893 Columbian Commemorative Half Dollar coins that were sold in the United States Mint exhibit hall at the price of $1.00 each.
The coin was designed by famed artist Olin Lewis Warner and Chief Engraver of the US Mint, Charles E. Barber, engraved the obverse of the coin. Assistant Chief Engraver, George T. Morgan engraved the reverse of the coin. Warner’s design displayed Columbus in profile, facing right with the legends “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the top periphery and “COLUMBIAN HALF DOLLAR” around the bottom periphery.
Warner’s reverse had one of Columbus’ ships displayed above the two world hemispheres. The legend “WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION CHICAGO” encircled the ship and globes and the date (1892 or 1893) was located at the bottom periphery.
950,000 of the 1892-dated coins were struck and distributed while in 1893 a total of 1,550,405 coins were struck and distributed. The first coin struck was purchased as an advertising gimmick by the Remington Typewriter company for $10,000. Beyond these mintages were also 100 Proof coins of each of these two dates.
Several years after the Fair closed some unsold coins were melted while others were released into circulation at no premium.
| Date | Type | Mintage | Very Fine Value | Unc Value |
| 1892 | Columbian Exposition | 950,000 | $8 | $300 |
| 1893 | Columbian Exposition | 1,550,405 | $8 | $300 |
Expand your collection today and shop for an 1892-1893 Columbia Exposition Half Dollar.
