A Coin that is commonly referred to as ring toning, meaning that a ring circle in lovely gold lies on the outer edge… it truly is a wonderful example of a York…quite original and has a CAC sticker as well deserved!
The 1936 York Tercentenary half dollar was a commemorative coin decried at the time of its issuance for its strictly local significance.
The coin was approved mostly due to the connections that the coin’s sponsors had, most notably numismatist Walter P. Nichols, who was Treasurer of the Committee for Commemoration of the Founding of York County.
The sponsors were able to have a bill passed on June 26th, 1936 authorizing the mintage of up to 30,000 coins. The Committee selected Portland, Mane artist Walter H. Rich to design the coin. His obverse depicts the arms of York County. In August of 1936, 25,000 of the 30,000 mintage limit were coined. Many were sold to Maine residents, and early sales were brisk. However, after the commemorative coin market collapsed in late 1936, sales slowed. The Commission held on to the remaining coins however, and they were sold in lots all the way through the 1950’s. This left a net mintage of 25,000 coins for the type.
3191630007 1022B10