The Christopher Columbus Quincentenary commemorative coins are a series of commemorative coins which were issued by the United States Mint in 1992 for the Columbus Quincentenary.
Legislation The Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coin Act () authorized the production of three coins, a clad half dollar, a silver dollar, and a gold half eagle, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America. The act allowed the coins to be struck in both proof and uncirculated finishes. The coins were first released on August 28, 1992.
Designs
Half Dollar
The obverse of the Christopher Columbus Quincentennary half dollar, designed by T. James Ferrell, features a full-body image of Christopher Columbus at landfall, arms outstretched, with his disembarking crew and a small boat behind him to his right, and a ship in the background to his left. The reverse, also designed by Ferrell, portrays Columbus' ships the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María.
Obverse (left) and reverse (right) of the half dollar
Dollar The obverse of the Christopher Columbus Quincentennary dollar, designed by John Mercanti, features a full-body image of Christopher Columbus holding a banner in his right hand, a scroll in his left hand, and standing next to a globe atop a pedestal to his left. The reverse, designed by Thomas D. Rogers, features an image of the left half of the Santa Maria and the right half the U.S. Space Shuttle Discovery, along with the Earth and a star to the upper right of the shuttle.
Obverse (left) and reverse (right) of the dollar
Half eagle The obverse of the Christopher Columbus Quincentennary half eagle, designed by T. James Ferrell, shows Columbus facing a map of the Americas. The reverse, designed by Thomas D. Rogers, features the crest of the Admiral of the Oceans, an honor that was bestowed upon Columbus, and a map overlapping the Old World with the date 1492.
Obverse (left) and reverse (right) of the half eagle
Specifications Half Dollar Display Box Color: Dark Green Edge: Reeded Weight: 11.34 grams Diameter: 30.61 millimeters; 1.205 inches Composition: 92% Copper, 8% Nickel Maximum Mintage: 6,000,000
Dollar Display Box Color: Dark Green Edge: Reeded Weight: 26.730 grams; 0.8594 troy ounce Diameter: 38.10 millimeters; 1.50 inches Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper Maximum Mintage: 4,000,000
Half Eagle Display Box Color: Dark Green Edge: Reeded Weight: 8.359 grams; 0.2687 troy ounce Diameter: 21.59 millimeters; 0.850 inch Composition: 90% Gold, 6% Silver, 4% Copper Maximum Mintage: 500,000
See also
United States commemorative coins List of United States commemorative coins and medals (1990s) Columbian half dollar
References