1936 Long Island Commem Half Dollar XF/AU Condition

PRODUCT DETAILS/DESCRIPTION

1936 Long Island Commem Half Dollar XF/AU Condition

The 1936 Long Island Commemorative Half Dollar celebrates a defining American milestone and offers collectors a historically rich, visually appealing coin.

Long Island Half Dollar Commemorative

Comprised of 90% silver and 10% copper, this commemorative half dollar was struck to honor the 300th anniversary of the first European settlement on Long Island, New York. It has been graded Extra Fine to Almost Uncirculated condition.

REVERSE: The reverse depicts a detailed Dutch sailing ship in full sail, an emblem of 17th-century exploration and commerce, accompanied by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1936, LONG ISLAND, and TERCENTENARY.

OBVERSE: Features conjoined busts traditionally identified as a Dutch settler and a Native American, evoking the island’s early encounters and cultural intersections. LIBERTY and E PLURIBUS UNUM and inscribed along the top and bottom.

Classic Commemoratives

Classic commemoratives are United States issues struck between 1892 and 1954 to mark specific events, honor important individuals, and celebrate regional or national achievements. Unlike circulating coinage, these commemoratives were produced in limited quantities, often sold to raise funds for memorials, monuments, and expositions. Their focused themes, sculptural designs, and comparatively low mintages set them apart from regular currency and continue to attract strong collector interest.

Defining characteristics include release dates tied to the commemorated occasion, distinctive motifs rendered by renowned sculptors and engravers, and, for some series, multiple mint marks reflecting production across different mints. Many designs feature intricate reliefs, allegorical figures, historic ships, state symbols, and iconography with local significance. This combination of artistic quality and historical narrative appeals to both seasoned numismatists and newcomers alike who appreciate classic commemoratives for their enduring storytelling.