1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar 90 Silver
The 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar is a 90% silver coin that was released to commemorate the 250th anniversary of George Washington's birth. It was authorized by the United States Congress and designed by John Mercanti.
The obverse of the coin features a portrait of George Washington, while the reverse depicts his home, Mount Vernon. The coin has a diameter of 30.61mm and a weight of 12.5 grams.
History of the Coin
The 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar was released on February 22, 1982, which was George Washington's 250th birthday. A total of 5,000,000 coins were authorized to be minted, with 4,894,044 actually produced.
The coins were available to the public from February 22, 1982, to December 15, 1982. They were sold at a premium above their face value and could be purchased in uncirculated or proof condition. The uncirculated version had a mintage of 2,210,458, while the proof version had a mintage of 2,683,586.
Design of the Coin
The obverse of the 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar features a portrait of George Washington facing left. The word "Liberty" is inscribed above his head, and the phrase "In God We Trust" is to the left. The date "1982" is to the right, and the mint mark is below the date.
The reverse of the coin features a depiction of George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. The words "United States of America" are inscribed above the house, while the denomination "Half Dollar" is below. The words "Mount Vernon" are to the left, and the phrase "E Pluribus Unum" is to the right.
Value of the Coin
The value of the 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar varies depending on the condition of the coin. As of August 2021, an uncirculated coin is worth around $10, while a proof coin is worth around $20.
However, the value of the coin may increase if it is in exceptional condition or if it has a rare error. For example, a 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar with a doubled die error sold for over $7,000 in 2017.
Conclusion
The 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar is a 90% silver coin that was released to commemorate the 250th anniversary of George Washington's birth. It has a unique design featuring the portrait of George Washington on the obverse and his home, Mount Vernon, on the reverse. The coin is a popular collectible among numismatists and has a value that varies depending on its condition and rarity.