1936 Cleveland Centennial/Great Lakes Exposition Commemorative Half Dollar
Base
About This Coin
The 1936 Cleveland Centennial/Great Lakes Exposition Commemorative Half Dollar is a United States commemorative half dollar. Struck in 1936 to coincide with the Great Lakes Exposition held in Cleveland, Ohio. The coin honors Moses Cleaveland (original spelling), a Connecticut land company agent who surveyed and established the settlement that became Cleveland in 1796. The Great Lakes Exposition celebrated the region's industrial and cultural achievements. The obverse features a bust of Moses Cleaveland facing left, the founder of the city of Cleveland in 1796, while the reverse displays a compass rose with a map of the Great Lakes region and nine stars representing the states bordering the Great Lakes. Designed by Brenda Putnam. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. With a mintage of 50,030, the Cleveland Half Dollar is one of the more available 1936 commemoratives. Its Great Lakes map reverse makes it popular with collectors interested in regional American history.