1936 Bridgeport Connecticut Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar
For the 100th anniversary of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the town decided that they wanted a commemorative coin to celebrate the occasion. The result was a commemorative half dollar that was minted and sold to to the public in 1936. The coin was authorized by the US Congress on May 15th, 1936 (Public Law 74-596). All 25,015 of the coins were minted at the Philadelphia mint, even though none feature a mintmark. They were sold at $2 each, with a limit of 5 coins per order. They have a reeded edge, and weigh (for a genuine one) 12.5 grams. They have a metallic composition of 90% silver, 10% copper. The obverse features a bust of P. T. Barnum (the only recognizable Bridgeport citizen), and the reverse features an Art Deco eagle. The designer was Henry Kries.
This coin is one of the more affordable classic commems, with prices for MS-65 reaching about $220. They are easily obtainable, even up to the top pop of MS-67+, which is only scarce, not rare. The PUP for grading is on the eagle's wing, which takes up half the reverse. It is flat, and spacious, so marks are found often in this area in particular.
Keep collecting,
Thatcoinguy
Comments
AC coin$
Level 6
Great blog interesting commemorative coin .
Kepi
Level 6
Nice blog! The toning on this coin is beautiful! Thanks for the information! ; )
thatcoinguy
Level 5
I love the toning too! I was thinking toner Tuesday, but I’ve got another one for that!
Longstrider
Level 6
I can't decide if I like all the art deco on that eagle or not. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I do like the toning one this one. Good blog. Thanks.
thatcoinguy
Level 5
Yeah, I’m so so on the eagle. Too blocky, I guess.
Jackson14
Level 4
Awesome coin! Do you have one?
thatcoinguy
Level 5
Nope! I wish, but they are a little pricy. I’m a bit of a circus talent myself, so that’s why I’m particularly interested in this coin.
It's Mokie
Level 6
And if you turn the reverse upside down, the stylized eagle becomes a shark. Seriously, a great coin with that wonderful 1930's streamlined style. I think my favorite early commemorative is the Connecticut commemorative with the Charter Oak design.
thatcoinguy
Level 5
Nice eyes!
Kepi
Level 6
That is really cool! ; )
Longstrider
Level 6
Holy Cow you are right! SHARK. SHARK!
Long Beard
Level 5
There's something about the early commemoratives which is more appealing than all but a few of the modern. The 1936 Connecticut being no exception.
Jackson14
Level 4
I agree.
Mike
Level 7
Good information on a commemorative coin. You don't see these that often. Great choice and interesting. Thanks you picked a good coin!!