The Booker T. Washington Commemorative Half Dollar Series was issued by the United States Mint from 1946 to 1951 to honor the renowned educator, author, and civil rights leader. This was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature an African American, making it a significant milestone in American numismatic history. This 1947-D specimen has an MS67 certification from the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and boasts crisp brilliance and fresh eye appeal.
This 1947-D Booker T. Washington Commemorative Half Dollar is an MS67 specimen. One side of the coin features largely untoned surfaces with a bright, satin luster, while the other offers a blast-white surface with vivid, frosted sheen. Overall, MS67 specimens exhibit exceptional eye appeal with no more than three or four minuscule contact marks and one more noticeable mark. One or two small hairlines may be present, but are not noticeable without magnification.
The 1947-D Booker T. Washington Commemorative Half Dollar was struck at the Denver Mint with a reported mintage of 6,000 pieces. This issue is among the lower-mintage coins in the series, making it particularly desirable to collectors. The “D” mint mark appears on the reverse of the coin, and like other issues in the series, many were sold in sets containing coins from all three operating mints.
The obverse of the 1947-D Booker T. Washington Commemorative Coin features a right-facing profile portrait of Washington, designed by sculptor Isaac Scott Hathaway. Washington’s name is inscribed below his likeness, creating a dignified tribute to the educator who founded the Tuskegee Institute.
On the reverse of the 1947-D Booker T. Washington Commemorative Half Dollar, the image depicts the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at New York University, shown as a building with columned architecture. Below the building is a representation of a cabin symbolizing Washington’s humble birthplace, creating a visual narrative of his journey from slavery to prominence.
