1925-S 50 Cents Silver California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative AU–BU

California’s “Sneaky” Silver Commemorative

In 1925, the San Francisco Mint struck a 90% silver half dollar to celebrate California’s 75th anniversary, or Diamond Jubilee – but it almost never happened! At the time, U.S. Mint officials thought there were already too many commemoratives in circulation. However, a sneaky California lawmaker snuck the coin into a bill authorizing a pair of Vermont commemoratives—a bill that already had President Calvin Coolidge’s personal support! The bill passed, and the rest is history.

The 75th Anniversary Of California’s Statehood

The 1925-S California Diamond Jubilee Silver Half Dollar Commemorative was the brainchild of the San Francisco Citizens’ Committee, which was seeking to have a commemorative half dollar struck to sell as a fundraiser for a local celebration commemorating the 75th anniversary of California’s statehood. California Congressman John E. Raker, a Democrat who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1913 to 1926, led the charge in Washington, and despite initial opposition was able to twist enough arms to get an amendment added to an early 1925 coinage bill.

One Of The Most Highly Regarded Designs Ever To Appear On A U.S. Coin

An interesting fun fact about the coin is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears just above the 49er’s pan on the coin’s obverse prompting some critics to gripe that the motto looked as if it were being fried in oil. All kidding aside, the design has gone down in history as being one of the most highly regarded designs ever to appear on a U.S. coin. Noted American numismatist Eric Newman, in his 2014 article on the coin, wrote that it “embodied the quintessential imagery of California in the 1850s.”

Now you can add the gold-panning 1925-S California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar to your collection—and in About Uncirculated to Brilliant Uncirculated (AU–BU) condition!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• POPULAR CALIFORNIA-THEMED DESIGNS – The 1925-S California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar features designs that harken back to origins of California on the verge of statehood. The coin’s obverse depicts a 49er panning for gold, while the reverse features California’s state emblem: a golden grizzly bear.
• STRUCK IN FINE SILVER – Each California Diamond Jubilee Half Dollar is struck in 90% silver.
• LEGAL TENDER COINAGE – The California Diamond Jubilee Silver Commemorative is 50 cents legal tender.
• ABOUT UNCIRCULATED TO BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 1925-S California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar will come in beautiful About Uncirculated to Brilliant Uncirculated (AU–BU) condition, as fresh and crisp as the day it left the San Francisco Mint more than 90 years ago!
• LOW LIMITED EDITION – Although Congress specified a maximum mintage of 300,000 coins, just 150,200 were actually struck. Of that already-low mintage, 200 were reserved for assay purposes and 63,606 unsold coins were later melted down, leaving a total surviving mintage of only 86,394 coins.

Don’t miss your chance to secure the scarce 1925-S California Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Silver Half Dollar. These coins are incredibly popular so order yours today!