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Purpose:
To perpetuate the teachings of Booker T. Washington, and to provide funds to purchase, construct, and maintain memorials to his memory.
Maximum Number Authorized: 5,000,000 pieces.
Sale Price: $1.00 for each 1946, $3.00 for each 1951
$1.50 for each 1946-D or S
$ 6.00 for a 3 coin set 1947
$7.50 for a 3 coin set 1948
$8.50 for a 3 coin set 1949, 1950, 1951
Designs:
Obverse – Isaac Scott Hathaway
Three-quarter bust of Booker T. Washington. His name is underneath the bust at the bottom of the coin. The date is located in the left field.
Online Resource: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/booker-t-washington
Reverse – Isaac Scott Ha
thaway
The Hall of Fame for Great Americans. Below the building is a depiction of the cabin in which Washington was born. Between the two structures is the inscription “FROM SLAVE CABIN TO HALL OF FAME.” “FRANKLIN COUNTY,VA” is located in the right field by the cabin. “BOOKER T. WASHINGTON MEMORIAL” is just inside the rim.
Online Resource: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/about-bcc/history-architecture/hall-of-fame/
Popularity:
Minted over the course of 6 years, the total mintage struck for sale to the public was 3,166,000. The public purchased 1,574,369 leaving almost 1,600,000 eventually returned to the Mint and melted.
Trivia:
Isaac Scott Hathaway was the first African American to design a United States coin.
Booker T. Washington was the first African American to appear on a United States coin. He is one of two African Americans to appear on two coins, the other being Jackie Robinson.
The “T” in Washington’s middle name stood for Taliaferro.
Many Booker T. Washington half dollars were released into circulation.
In 1901 President Theodore Roosevelt invited Washington to dine with he and his family at the White House.
For more information:
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek
KWS Publishers (2012)
Commemorative Coins of the United States Identification and Price Guide by Anthony J. Swiatek
Amos Press Publishers (2001)
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Doubleday, Page & Co. (1901)
References:
Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek
KWS Publishers (2012)
The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins 1892 to 1954 by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen
Arco Publishing, Inc. (1981)
