1926–1939 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar

The story behind this coin

Designed by Laura Gardin Fraser and James Earle Fraser, the Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar is widely admired for its wagon-and-Native-American imagery. Its sponsor repeatedly revived production over fourteen date-and-mint combinations from 1926 through 1939. Later three-mint sets with tiny mintages became a central example of the sales practices that exhausted collectors and provoked Congress.

Design and symbolism

First issued in 1926, the Oregon Trail Memorial honored the emigrants who traveled west and the thousands who died along the route. Congress authorized up to six million coins to fund memorials and preserve historic trail sites. Instead of one anniversary issue, the program returned repeatedly through 1939, eventually producing 14 date-and-mint combinations.

Wagon side: James Earle Fraser designed the ox-drawn covered wagon climbing toward a radiant sun, a compact image of westward migration.

Regular issues and mintages

The figures in this 1926–1939 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar table report the regular collector issues shown for this commemorative. Where sponsors returned unsold coins for melting, the listed quantity reflects net distribution rather than the larger number initially struck.