1936 Cincinnati Music Center Commemorative Half Dollar
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About This Coin
The 1936 Cincinnati Music Center Commemorative Half Dollar is a United States commemorative half dollar. Issued in 1936 to honor Cincinnati's role as a center of American music and culture. Despite depicting Stephen Foster, who had no direct connection to Cincinnati, the coin was struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. It was promoted by Thomas G. Melish, whose aggressive marketing of commemoratives contributed to congressional reform of the program. The obverse features a bust of Stephen Foster facing right, the famous American songwriter known as the 'Father of American Music', while the reverse displays a female figure representing Music, kneeling and playing a lyre, with the inscription CINCINNATI. Designed by Constance Ortmayer. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. The Cincinnati Half Dollar is collected as a PDS set, with 5,005 pieces struck at each mint. Low mintages make complete sets scarce, but the coin's controversial marketing history is an important chapter in commemorative coin legislation.
