1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$25,300 MS68 02-01-2005 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar is a commemorative half dollar struck at the Philadelphia Mint. With a mintage of 10,008, this is a scarce commemorative issue. Issued in 1935 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Cabeza de Vaca's 1535 overland trek across what is now the southern United States. The obverse features a longhorn steer's skull facing forward, one of the most striking and unusual designs in the commemorative series, while the reverse displays a yucca tree with the route map of the Old Spanish Trail from St. Augustine, Florida, to El Paso, Texas. Designed by L.W. Hoffecker. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #9376. With a low mintage of only 10,008 pieces, the Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar is one of the scarcer classic commemoratives. Its dramatic longhorn skull design makes it one of the most visually memorable coins in the entire series and a favorite among type collectors.