The Columbian half dollar is the first US commemorative coin, struck at the Mint from November 19, 1892, until early 1893. It was issued both to raise funds for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and to mark the quadricentennial of the first voyage to the Americas of Christopher Columbus, the first historical person to be depicted on an American coin (pictured). Fair official James Ellsworth wanted the new half dollar to be based on a 16th-century painting he owned by Lorenzo Lotto, reputedly of Columbus, and pushed for this throughout the design process. When initial sketches by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber proved unsatisfactory, the fair's organizers turned to a design by artist Olin Levi Warner that was modified by Barber and his assistant, George T. Morgan. Some five million half dollars were struck, far beyond the actual demand, and half of them were returned to the Mint and melted after the fair closed. Sales of the coins did not cure the fair's financial woes; fewer than 400,000 were sold at a premium price. Some two million were released into circulation, where they remained as late as the 1950s.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbian_half_dollar

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1816:

The University of Warsaw, the largest university in Poland, was established as Congress Poland found itself a territory without a university. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Warsaw

1863:

American Civil War: US President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address

1941:

World War II: The Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran destroyed each other in the Indian Ocean. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_between_HMAS_Sydney_and_German_auxiliary_cruiser_Kormoran

1969:

Playing for Santos against Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian footballer Pelé scored his 1000th goal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pel%C3%A9

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

turd: 1. (mildly vulgar) A piece of solid animal or human feces. 2. (derogatory) A pejorative term, typically directed at a person. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/turd

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I have always said that my whole public life was an experiment to determine whether an intelligent people would sustain a man in acting sensibly on each proposition that arose, and in doing nothing for mere show or demagogical effect.   --James A. Garfield https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/James_A._Garfield