Q. David Bowers
Commemorating: 75th anniversary in 1938 of the Battle of Gettysburg
Obverse motif: Portraits of Union and Confederate soldiers
Reverse motif: Union and Confederate shields
Authorization date: June 16, 1936
Dates on coins: 1936 (also 1863 and 1938)
Date when coins were actually minted: 1937
Mint used: Philadelphia
Maximum quantity authorized: 50,000
Total quantity minted (including assay coins): 50,028
Assay coins (included in above): 28
Quantity melted: 23,100
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 26,928
Issued by: The Pennsylvania State Commission, Hotel Gettysburg, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Paul L. Roy, executive secretary (Senator John S. Rice was chairman of the Pennsylvania State Commission.)) until summer 1938; later the American Legion - Department of Pennsylvania (116 South Third Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) distributed the unsold remainder
Official sale price: $1.65 (later raised to $2.65 and offered by the American Legion - Department of Pennsylvania at this price)
Standard original packaging: Paper coin envelope; unprinted three-coin cardboard holder of the insert type
Designer of obverse and reverse: Frank Vittor
Interesting fact: As was the case with the Delaware half dollar, this issue bore the date 1936 and was struck in 1937 for an anniversary to be commemorated in 1938.
(average market prices)
1940 MS-63 $1.75
1945 MS-63 $3.50
1950 MS-63 $5
1955 MS-63 $11
1960 MS-63 $20
1965 MS-63 $47
1970 MS-63 $45
1975 MS-63 $80
1980 MS-63 $700
1985 MS-63 $360
1986 MS-60 $240, MS-63 $385, MS-64 $615, MS-65 $1,200
1990 (spring) MS-60 $250, MS-63 $320, Ms-64 $420, MS-65 $1,700
1990 (December) MS-60 $245, MS-63 $275, MS-64 $340, MS-65 $1,000