Booker T Washington Half Dollar 1946 Mint Mark
Introduction
The Booker T Washington half dollar was a commemorative coin issued by the United States Mint in 1946 to honor the famous African American educator and leader. It was designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway and was minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The coin features the bust of Booker T Washington on the obverse and the cabin in which he was born on the reverse.
History
The idea for a commemorative coin honoring Booker T Washington was first proposed by the Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial Commission. The commission was created by Congress in 1943 to establish a memorial at the site of Washington's birthplace in Virginia. The commission hoped to raise funds for the memorial through the sale of a commemorative coin.
The design for the coin was chosen through a competition held by the Commission of Fine Arts. Hathaway's design was selected and the coin was approved by Congress on August 7, 1946. The coin was minted in silver and was sold to the public for $1.
Design
The obverse of the coin features the bust of Booker T Washington facing left. The words "Booker T Washington" and "In God We Trust" are inscribed around the edge of the coin. The date "1946" is located below the bust.
The reverse of the coin features the log cabin in which Booker T Washington was born. The words "From Slave Cabin to Hall of Fame" and "E Pluribus Unum" are inscribed around the edge of the coin. The mint mark is located to the right of the cabin.
Mint Marks
The Booker T Washington half dollar was minted in three locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Each location produced coins with a different mint mark. The Philadelphia coins have no mint mark, the Denver coins have a "D" mint mark, and the San Francisco coins have an "S" mint mark.
Rarity
The Booker T Washington half dollar is considered a relatively common coin among commemorative coins. However, some of the San Francisco minted coins are considered rare and can be valuable to collectors.
Conclusion
The Booker T Washington half dollar is an important piece of American history and a tribute to a great leader. The coin's unique design and historical significance make it a valuable addition to any coin collection.