San Diego, California Pacific International Exposition

Fascinating 1936-D San Diego Half Dollar

Coin No. 18

1936-D San Diego, California Pacific International Exposition Commemorative Silver Half Dollar. Mint State (Uncertified).

Pleasing satiny luster and just a grace of golden brown mottling. Accompanied by a small brown envelope printed in blue, “I CERTIFY THAT THE WITHIN COIN IS / NO. 18 OF THE C.P.I.E. COINAGE / BY THE DENVER MINT. MARK A. SKINNER, Supt, By [manuscript signature] as “Actg.” SUPERINTENDENT The envelope is hand-signed by the Acting Superintendent. Presumably, there were at least 17 other envelopes of this type distributed with coins inside, however, this is the only one we recall having ever seen. Similarly, such was apparently unknown to Walter Breen, Anthony Swiatek and Q. David Bowers when they wrote their respective books on the Commemorative Silver coins. A fascinating and clearly very rare piece of historic numismatic ephemera. The envelope appears undamaged and is nicely preserved, though we have not removed it from its custom Capital Plastics-style display holder.

From the Larry Baber Collection.

Estimate: $ 750