Q. David Bowers
(Also see preceding listing)
Authorization date: May 6, 1936 (special authorization for recoinage of unsold 1935-S half dollars; original authorization date: May 3, 1935)
Date on coins: 1936
Date when coins were actually minted: 1936
Mint used: Denver
Maximum quantity authorized: 180,000
Total quantity minted (including assay coins): 180,092
Assay coins (included in above): 92
Quantity melted: 150,000
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 30,092
Issued by: California-Pacific International Exposition Company, Balboa Park, San Diego, California (Emil Klicka, treasurer)
Standard original packaging: Plain paper envelope; some mailed in plain insert-type cardboard holders
Official sale price: $1.50 (increased to $3 in 1937; reduced in 1938 to $1)
Interesting fact: These coins were made from melted-down 1935-S San Diego half dollars.
(average market prices)
1936 (summer) MS-63 $2
1940 MS-63 $1.50
1945 MS-63 $2.25
1950 MS-63 $2.50
1955 MS-63 $7
1960 MS-63 $10
1965 MS-63 $20
1970 MS-63 $18
1975 MS-63 $55
1980 MS-63 $285
1985 MS-63 $190
1986 MS-60 $130, MS-63 $215, MS-64 $410, MS-65 $750
1990 (spring) MS-60 $115, MS-63 $130, MS-64 $180, MS-65 $360
1990 (December) MS-60 $92, MS-63 $110, MS-64 $125, MS-65 $235
Note: A large hoard amounting to thousands of coins came on the market in the late 1980s, depressing the price of Mint State coins.