The California Pacific International Exposition half dollar is a fifty- cent piece that was struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1935 and 1936 as a commemorative coin. Its obverse depicts Minerva and other elements of the Seal of California; the reverse shows buildings from the California Pacific International Exposition (held 1935–1936), which the coin was issued to honor. Legislation for the half dollar moved through Congress without opposition in early 1935, and Robert I. Aitken was hired to design it. The San Francisco Mint produced 250,000 coins, but expected sales did not materialize. The Exposition Commission, left with over 180,000 pieces they could not sell, sought and obtained legislation authorizing new coins. Although there was a spike in prices for many commemorative coins in 1936, the Exposition Commission's new coins also sold poorly, and 150,000 pieces were returned to the Mint. Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Pacific_International_Exposition_half_dollar> _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1814: War of 1812: British forces invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to various U.S. government buildings, including what is now the White House (damage depicted). <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Washington> 1889: The predominantly Māori New Zealand Native football team played the last match of their 107-game tour, the longest in rugby union history. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1888%E2%80%9389_New_Zealand_Native_football_team> 2004: About 90 people died after suicide bombers attacked two airliners flying out of Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Russian_aircraft_bombings> _____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day: bandura: (music) A Ukrainian plucked stringed instrument with a tear-shaped body, like an asymmetrical lute or a vertical zither, which is played with both hands while held upright on the lap. <https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bandura> ___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:   I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased — short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed.   --Max Beerbohm <https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Max_Beerbohm>