The 1993 Bill of Rights Half Dollar was one of three coins issued to honor James Madison and the Bill of Rights. The half dollar was struck in a composition of 90% silver, which was not typical for commemorative half dollars. In 1982, the George Washington Half Dollar had been struck in silver, but all subsequent half dollars had been struck in a clad composition.
The obverse of the coin features an image of James Madison writing the Bill of Rights. Montpelier, his home in Virginia, is depicted in the background. The reverse of the coin features a hand holding a torch. Both sides of the coin incorporate numerous inscriptions. The obverse was designed by T. James Ferrell and the reverse was designed by Dean McMullen.
The obverse inscriptions include “Liberty”, “James Madison”, “Father of the Bill of Rights”, “In God We Trust”, and the year of mintage “1993″. The reverse of the coin includes inscriptions “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, “The Bill of Rights”, “Our Basic Freedoms” and the denomination “Half Dollar”.
The American Numismatic Association marked the edge of 9,656 of the 1993 Bill of Rights Half Dollars with the initials of the Madison Foundation and a serial number as a special promotion.
The 1993 Bill of Rights Commemorative Half Dollars were available in proof version struck at the San Francisco Mint and uncirculated version struck at the West point Mint. The coins were sold individually, as well as incorporated within proof or uncirculated two-coin and three-coin sets and a comprehensive six-coin set. A Young Collectors set was also issued which contained the half dollar. A coin and medal set was also offered which included the half and a James Madison Medal.
Coin Specifications
Designer: T. James Ferrell (obverse), Dean McMullen (reverse)
Weight: 12.500 g
Composition: 90.00% silver (0.3617 ounces of silver)
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 1,000,000
1993-W Uncirculated Bill of Rights Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $9.75
Regular Price: $11.50
Final Mintage: 193,315
1993-S Proof Bill of Rights Half Dollar
Pre-Issue Price: $12.50
Regular Price: $13.50
Final Mintage: 586,315
