1946-1951 Booker T. Washington Silver Half Dollar

Booker T. Washington was one of the leading figures in the charge to educate freed slaves during the reconstruction era. Being a free slave himself, he believed that the key to African Americans future success was through learning practical skills.    Due to his place in American History, the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Commission looked to strike a commemorative coin in his honor. They hoped to raise funds for the purchase and maintenance of his birthplace in Franklin County, Virginia. The obverse design features a portrait of Washington, with inscriptions United States of America, Booker T. Washington, Half Dollar, E Pluribus Unum, and the date. On the reverse was an image of the Hall of Fame at New York University and a log cabin. The extensive inscriptions include Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial, Liberty, From Slave Cabin to Hall of Fame, In God We Trust, and Franklin County VA. This commemorative coin was issued by the U.S. Mint, struck in 90% silver and  comes encapsulated in a wooden display box.