Commemorative Half Dollar Featuring George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington, 1952

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Artifact Overview

The second U.S. coin commemorating African Americans featured two Tuskegee Institute educators, president Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), and agricultural scientist, George W. Carver (early 1860s-1943). The U.S. Mint commissioned African-American sculptor and artist Isaac Scott Hathaway to design the coin. Issued from 1951 to 1954, the inscription on the back emphasized patriotism and individual liberty amid growing Cold War tensions.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Coin (Money)

Date Made

1952

Creator Notes

Designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway of Philadelphia, PA; Minted at the San Francisco Mint

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

66.9.56

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Silver (Metal)

Technique

Minting

Dimensions

Diameter: 1.188 in

Inscriptions

Printed around the busts: GEORGE W. CARVER LIBERTY BOOKER. T. WASHINGTON HALF DOLLAR. Printed to the left of the figures: 1952 Printed around the outer edge: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN GOD WE TRUST E PLURIBUS UNUM. Reverse shows the map of the United States with the lettering: U.S.A. Printed at the bottom: **AMERICANISM**FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Commemorative Half Dollar Featuring George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington, 1952