1936 50C Delaware MS65 Certification #21786953, PCGS #9301

Nice golden toning around the edge, good luster and strike. In 1935, the Delaware Swedish Tercentenary Commission was created to make plans to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Swedes. To help pay for the celebrations, a commemorative half dollar was to be minted and sold to collectors at a price of $1.75 each. In 1936, after Congress authorized the coin, a contest was announced for artists to submit their designs and win $500. The contest, which was published in the Delaware paper The News Journal, required that the obverse needed to be a ship modeled after the Kalmar Nyckel, the dates 1638 and 1938, and a diamond to represent the state’s other nickname of The Diamond State. The reverse needed to depict Old Swedes Church, the nation’s oldest church building in continuous use since it was consecrated in 1699. Of the 40 submissions, judges John Sinnock, the Mint’s Chief Engraver, and sculptor Dr. Robert Tait McKenzie selected artist Carl L. Schmitz’s designs. 25,015 coins were minted in Philadelphia, but only 20,993 were distributed. The remaining were returned to be melted. Carl Schmitz worked with the Public Works of Art Project (PWA) creating sculptures for government buildings. In 1932 he also worked under Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, the sculptor Sweden selected to create the Kalmar Nyckel monument now standing at Fort Christina in Wilmington, DE. Two of his pieces are in the Smithsonian, but the half dollar is likely his most well-known work. This was his only coin.

David Hall

The Delaware commemorative half was struck to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Swedish colonists landing in Delaware, an event that took place in 1638. Strangely, the Delaware commems were dated 1936, struck in 1937, and sold in 1938. The original issue price was $1.75. Delawares were widely available in the numismatic market place through-out the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. today, Delawares are moderately scarce.

Of the 1936-1938 era commemoratives with similar mintages, the Delaware is similar in rarity to the Albany, Gettysburg, Lynchburg, and Maryland. It is rarer than the Antietam, Elgin, New Rochelle, Norfolk, Roanoke, Wisconsin, and York; and not quite as rare as the Connecticut and Robinson. Delawares often have a somewhat semi-prooflike appearance or a subdued frosty luster. The sails on the ship can get quite marked up so look for clean, well struck sails. Eye appeal will depend on the amount of luster and/or the attractiveness (or lack of) of the toning.