Illinois Centennial Half Dollar Value Guide

The 1918 Illinois Centennial Half Dollar is a significant silver commemorative coin marking a century of Illinois statehood. It is highly collectible for its unique obverse portrait of a beardless Abraham Lincoln, designed by George T. Morgan and based on Andrew O'Connor's statue.

What Is Illinois Centennial Half Dollar Worth?

The typical price range for Illinois Centennial Half Dollar is $110 - $120 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Numerical grade and surface preservation, particularly the absence of contact marks on Lincoln's cheek.
• Luster quality, as many of the 100,005 minted examples were handled during centennial celebrations.
• Presence of original toning, which can significantly enhance eye appeal and market price.
• Current market demand for early 20th-century US commemorative silver issues.

How to Identify Illinois Centennial Half Dollar?

• Check for the youthful, beardless portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse designed by George T. Morgan.
• Verify the reverse design features the 1818 version of the Illinois State Seal with an eagle perched on a rock.
• Confirm the composition is 90% silver and 10% copper with a diameter of 30.6 millimeters.
• Look for the dual dates 1818 and 1918 inscribed on the coin's surface.

History of Illinois Centennial Half Dollar

Designed by George T. Morgan and John R. Sinnock, this coin was authorized by Congress in 1918. The obverse features a youthful portrait of Abraham Lincoln, modeled after a statue by Andrew O'Connor, while the reverse depicts the state seal of Illinois as it appeared in 1818. A total of 100,005 coins were minted at the Philadelphia Mint to help fund local centennial celebrations.