Q. David Bowers
Commemorating: 75th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam
Obverse motif: Portraits of generals McClellan and Lee
Reverse motif: Burnside Bridge
Authorization date: June 24, 1937
Dates on coins: 1937 (also September 17, 1862)
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): 2
Quantity melted: 32,000
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 18,028
Issued by: Washington County Historical Society, Hagerstown, Maryland (park W.T. Loy, secretary, United States Antietam Celebration Commission (The United States Antietam Celebration Commission did not put postage on its mail but sent out correspondence under a U.S. government permit marked "Official Business"; perhaps the only commemorative coin commission of its era to enjoy this valuable franking privilege. Loy was also chairman of the Board of Directors of the Washington County Historical Society. J.R.R. Black was chairman of the Commemorative Coin Committee.))
Standard original packaging: Cardboard holder with spaces to accommodate five coins, with imprinted cover, made by J.N. Spies Mfg. Co.
Official sale price: $1.65
Designer of obverse and reverse: William Marks Simpson
Interesting facts: With the 1925 Stone Mountain and 1936 Gettysburg issues, this was one of three commemorative half dollars specifically relating to the Civil War; this coin also bears a day date of September 17, 1862.
(average market prices)
1940 MS-63 $2
1945 MS-63 $2
1950 MS-63 $9
1955 MS-63 $25
1960 MS-63 $45
1965 MS-63 $95
1970 MS-63 $82
1975 MS-63 $165
1980 MS-63 $725
1985 MS-63 $475
1986 MS-60 $410, MS-63 $580, MS-64 $800, MS-65 $1,375
1990 (spring) MS-60 $400, MS-63 $465, MS-64 $600, MS-65 $1,100
1990 (December) MS-60 $380, MS-63 $410, MS-64 $500, MS-65 $700