Whitman Expo
1893 50c Columbian Exposition, RPD, FS-301 XF45
Greysheet & CPG® PRICE GUIDE
Following the issuance of the 1892 Columbian Exposition half dollar, the first United States commemorative coin, the US Mint released a second run of Columbian halves in 1893. While the World's Columbian Exposition was intended to open in 1892 to honor the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' transatlantic expedition in 1492, the event did not kick off until 1893. The United States Mint sold the 1893 Columbian half dollars at the fair for $1 each, and the popular coins were sold in huge numbers of more than 1.5 million. The Columbian Exposition half dollars were designed by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan. Though seeing a large mintage, the 1893 Columbian half dollar was widely distributed, many did not wind up in proper coin collections but rather were squirreled away in change jars and boxes and eventually spent. In fact, most Columbian halves encountered today show wear. Gem uncirculated specimens are tough, with MS66s very scarce and examples grading MS67 or better quite rare.
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CPG® prices represent retail levels. Collectors should refer to CPG values as a starting place for their negotiations, or auction bid reference.
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Bluesheet (NGC & PCGS) prices represent the highest sight-unseen offers to buy on dealer networks like CDN Exchange. In many cases, there are no active sight-unseen buy offers, so CDN looks to the recent lowest market values for such an item. For this reason, Bluesheet values typically represent the floor of the market for the specified item. CDN only tracks Bluesheet on certain items.
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Price movement is indicated for price changes in the last 30 days.
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