1937 Battle Of Antietam USA Half Dollar Choice BU (MS64) $

1937 Battle Of Antietam USA Half Dollar Choice Brilliant Uncirculated (MS-64)

The 1937 Battle of Antietam Half Dollar was issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862. Often remembered as the bloodiest single day in American history, the battle resulted in more than 20,000 Union and Confederate casualties and was a pivotal moment in the Civil War. Designed by William Marks Simpson, the obverse presents the conjoined profiles of Union General George B. McClellan and Confederate General Robert E. Lee, placing the commanders of the opposing armies together on the same coin. The stars beside their portraits indicate their respective military ranks, while their inclusion serves as a powerful representation of the two sides that met at Antietam.

The reverse features Burnside Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks of the battle and the scene of intense fighting as Union troops attempted to cross Antietam Creek. The bridge is identified by name along with the date September 17, 1862, while the inscription commemorates the battle's 75th anniversary. The half dollar was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, with 50,000 pieces authorized. Sales were disappointing, however, and 32,000 coins were returned to the Mint and melted, leaving only about 18,000 examples distributed to collectors. This low surviving mintage makes the Antietam half dollar one of the scarcer issues in the classic U.S. commemorative series, while its historically significant subject and dramatic design make it especially appealing to collectors of Civil War memorabilia.

Obverse: General Robert E. Lee and General George Brinton McClellan facing left, with the legend above, and the denomination below.
Reverse: An image of the Burnside Bridge, trees in front and behind, with the legend around, and the date below.

Specifications:
Engraver: William Marks Simpson
Composition: 0.900 Silver
Weight: 12.5 g
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Edge: Reeded
Die Axis: ↑↓
Mint: The United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States
Mintage: 18,028