1953d American half-dollar

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villa66
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1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von villa66 » Di 06.10.15 03:42

An American 1953d half-dollar struck in Denver of .900 silver, 30.6mm in diameter and weighing 12.50g. By the time this Franklin half fell from the coining press, American coins of this denomination had been of identical diameter and of near-identical weight for a full century (the half had been made .06g heavier in 1873).

This century’s worth of sameness underlines an important postscript to one of Americans’ favorite conceits, that is, that theirs is a relatively young country. It is a relatively young country, but it’s a very old state.

And so here is old Ben Franklin—on the half-dollar since 1948—the last regular issue U.S. coin to lose its allegorical Lady Liberty. But of course; it was the early postwar, and America had arrived. Lincoln on the cent, Jefferson on the nickel, Roosevelt on the dime and Washington on the quarter. Gone was the aspirational Liberty--the United States had a history of its own to lean on.

1953. Eisenhower had become president and the Korean “Conflict” would end. It was time for Americans to get down to the real business of the 1950s and early 1960s—raising the children of the postwar “Baby Boom.”

That decade of 1953-1963…generally speaking, was an especially great time to have been an American kid.

For adult and near-adult men and boys, however, there were some real dilemmas. One of those tough choices—before my time, luckily—was the fact that this 1953d half-dollar would have bought a newsstand copy of one of the new magazines introduced that year: Playboy, with Marilyn Monroe on its cover, and inside.

So what’ll it be? Old Ben, saved for a rainy day, or the young Marilyn, naked? Let me see now...

:D v.
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Mynter
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Re: 1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von Mynter » Di 06.10.15 21:28

Once more, villa; great stuff. I must say, I personnaly like the modern american change a lot, starting with the Washington- Quarter of 1932 as my absolute favourite. But the Frankin - half is a strong number two. And somehow it is a pity that the 1964 D Peace- dollar was not released, it would have matched perfectly.
Do you know theese coin- show on youtube ? Funny guy :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_t0jnMMUEo
Grüsse, Mynter

villa66
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Re: 1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von villa66 » Fr 09.10.15 06:12

I watched the video (but didn't know about it before)--the guy is funny, and he packs a lot of good information into the piece. Definitely worth watching.

We"re pretty much in sync with regard to American circulating coinage. The Jefferson nickel of '38 (designed by German Army veteran Felix Schlag) was a good one, I thought, and the new obverse of 2005 was a winner, but the coin took a real wrong turn in 2006, I think.

The dime is solid and I did really love the Lincoln before it got its makeover in 1969--I don't think the coin ever got back its greatness.

The Franklin had good appeal, I agree, but I remember how the new Kennedy sent it straight into oblivion.

And I think the '64d Peace would have made a nice capstone to the series, just as you suggest. I remember as a boy feeling that the Peace dollar had a look that was still in tune with the times--well, at least as I (mis)understood them!

I do agree with your high opinion of the Washington quarter of '32. In silver especially, it's a terrific design. To hold this opinion, however, is to commit a couple of (American) numismatic heresies: 1) I think replacing the Standing Liberty of '16-30 with the Washington coin was the right thing to do, and 2) I think the adopted Flanagan design was far superior to the rejected Fraser design (which did finally make it onto a gold $5 commem in 1999).

What the State and Territorial quarters did to the Washington obverse was a crime, I think, but with the Park quarters the portrait at least has made something of a comeback.

About the Washington quarter, I want to post a photo that raises what I think is an interesting question about the reverse design--it's just me talking, though. Maybe tomorrow night.

:) v.

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Re: 1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von Mynter » Mi 14.10.15 21:44

Thank you for the additional information. I did not know about the designers contest for the Washington - quarter, and I had to search for images of the 1999- 5 $ to see the Fraser- design my self. In my opinion the jury did the right thing when they decided to go for Flanagan. With its high relief the classical Washington- quarter looks somewhat roman. And I totaly agree with you that the modernisation of Washingtons effigy on the state- coins mearly butchered the elegance and style of Flanagans work.
Grüsse, Mynter

villa66
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Re: 1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von villa66 » Do 15.10.15 07:51

Here's a 1934d Washington, coined about the time they had finished working out the kinks in the design. In the hand, this coin really grabs the eye. It isn't a blazer, and there's no shock of bright white, just the quiet pull of gracefully aging silver. But alas, this is just a photo....
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villa66
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Re: 1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von villa66 » Do 15.10.15 07:56

And God help me, I've come to think--in the privacy of my own home(!)--that the Washington quarter must somehow descend from this design:
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villa66
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Re: 1953d American half-dollar

Beitrag von villa66 » Do 15.10.15 08:00

Side by side, the reverse of the American quarter-dollar of 1932, and the Italian 5-lire of 1926:

v.
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