The U.S. Mint's 1st-Ever 'Special Issue' Coins: The 1892 and 1893 Christopher Columbus Half Dollar Pair

The narrative of Christopher Columbus is intricately woven into the fabric of American history. His relentless pursuit of exploration played a pivotal role in unveiling the vast lands that would later be known as the United States of America and the Caribbean Islands. While the 1992 Special Issue Silver Dollar and Half Dollar are well-known among collectors for commemorating Christopher Columbus, it is less commonly known that these were actually the SECOND instance of the United States Mint honoring the legendary explorer.

Over 130 years ago, the U.S. Mint took a historic step by issuing its very first 'special issue' coins—the 1892 and 1893 Columbus Silver Half Dollars. This marked a significant departure from tradition, not only in terms of the special issuance but also because these coins were the first U.S. coinage to feature the image of a historical figure, Christopher Columbus himself.

A Pair of Iconic 130+ Year Old Silver Half Dollars

The 1892 and 1893 Columbus Half Dollars represent the U.S. Mint's inaugural 'special release' coins. These coins are distinguished by their depiction of Christopher Columbus on the obverse and his flagship, the Santa Maria, above two hemispheres on the reverse. These commemorative half dollars were minted to raise funds for the upcoming Columbian World's Fair in 1893 and to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' first voyage to the American continent.

With a total mintage of just 2,500,405 across both years, these coins are a testament to a significant moment in numismatic and American history. However, the survival of these coins in collector's quality condition over 130+ years is rare, as many were melted down for their silver content during various periods, making our recent find in Texas of these two-piece sets in stunning uncirculated condition all the more exceptional.