1936 Delaware Tercentenary Half Dollar
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Purpose:
To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first successful European settlement in Delaware and fund local celebrations held in Sweden and the United States.
Maximum Number Authorized: 25,000 pieces.
Sale Price: $1.75
Designs:
Obverse – Carl Schmitz
The Old Swedes Church in the center. Above the church, sun rays show through a cloud.
Online Resource: http://www.oldswedes.org/
Reverse – Carl Schmitz
The ship Kalmar Nyckel (Key of Kalmar) appears on the reverse. Located above the ship is the inscription “DELAWARE TERCENTENARY”. Underneath the ship are the anniversary dates of 1638-1938. Three diamonds at the bottom of the coin symbolize the three counties of Kent, New Castle and Sussex. The designer’s initials are located to the right of the ship.
Online Resource: https://www.kalmarnyckel.org/docs/knf_guidebook.pdf
Popularity:
25,000 were minted for sale to the public. 4,022 remained unsold and were returned to the Mint for melting.
Delaware Tercentenary Online Resource:
Trivia:
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Old Swedes, also known as Holy Trinity Church, was consecrated in 1699. The church is the oldest church building in the United States that stands as it was first built.
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The Delaware Tercentenary half dollar has a date of 1936 but was not minted until 1937 to celebrate an anniversary date of 1938.
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In 1938, Sweden struck a 2 kronor coin in conjunction with the United States half dollar.
For more information:
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek
KWS Publishers (2012)
Commemorative Coins of the United States Identification and Price Guide by Anthony J. Swiatek
Amos Press Publishers (2001)
References:
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek
KWS Publishers (2012)
The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins 1892 to 1954 by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen
Arco Publishing, Inc. (1981)