1936 Gettysburg 50C NGC MS64. This mainly white 1936 Gettysburg Commemorative Half Dollar is frosty and very lustrous. Just a touch of toning is seen at the top of the obverse and the bottom of the reverse. The obverse surface is essentially clean, and the reverse shows a few tiny scattered marks on the lower part of the Union shield and on the fasces. Frank Vittor designed the coin, which shows on its obverse two soldiers, one from each side in the war, who look like brothers. BLUE AND GREY REUNION is one of the inscriptions. It refers to an event that was scheduled for July 1-3 in 1938. On the reverse we see fasces, which are the Roman symbol of the power of life and death. The Fasces divide the two symbols of each side, the Union and Confederate shields. Oak and olive branches, seen in the wreath, symbolize war and peace.

The 1936 date is the date of the authorizing act. The coin was struck in 1937 for a 75th anniversary, which took place in 1938.  The coin’s original mintage was 50,000; however, because they all could not be sold, 23,100 were melted.

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