Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Half Dollar
- Year of Issue: 1992
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 102-281
Background
Released on August 28, 1992, this commemorative coin was released in honor of the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
Recipient Organization: Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund
Surcharges from coin sales were to be deposited in the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund and be available to the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. The latter was established to encourage and support research, study, and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind.Commemorative Coin Surcharges
Commemorative coin programs are created by acts of Congress to honor a person, place, or event. Surcharges from the sales of these coins help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public. Commemorative coins are only available from the United States Mint for a limited time, as specified by public law.
Characteristics
The obverse design of the coin features a full-length portrait of Christopher Columbus at landfall, arms outstretched, with his disembarking crew and a small boat behind him to his right, and a ship behind him on the left.
The reverse features three ships under sail within an inner circular border.
Obverse Inscriptions
- LIBERTY
- IN GOD WE TRUST
- 1492
- 1992
Reverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBUS DISCOVERY
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- HALF DOLLAR
Mint and Mint Mark
Artist Information
Obverse- Designer: T. James Ferrell
- Designer: T. James Ferrell